Electricity sector officials claim they will restore the power system in Isla de la Juventud within a week. Currently, this special municipality requires 28 MW of power but is only producing half of that capacity. For several days now, residents have experienced scheduled blackouts lasting up to five hours due to a generation shortfall. This situation is unusual for the island, known for its independent electrical grid.
To address this crisis, local generator units are undergoing intensive maintenance, with extended shifts for workers. They are supported by technical teams from Sancti Spíritus and the National Maintenance Company for Generator Groups. "We still need to maintain unit number 1, and we have all the necessary resources to complete it. Within a week, the system will be restored," stated one of the project leaders.
Tourism Concerns Drive Urgent Repairs
The local power system not only supplies the residents of the island but also powers the tourist hub of Cayo Largo del Sur. Consequently, the government has prioritized its recovery efforts. The repairs aim to ensure greater stability, especially during the peak summer months of July and August, when electricity demand spikes.
From Self-Sufficiency to Crisis
The energy situation in Isla de la Juventud, once seen as a model of electrical self-sufficiency in Cuba, sharply declined after two generator units went offline on June 14. Since then, scheduled outages have affected areas such as Pueblo Nuevo, La Fe, La Reforma, Chacón, and the University. Despite government assurances that the crisis will be resolved shortly, public dissatisfaction has mounted, with anti-regime graffiti appearing.
Understanding the Energy Challenges in Isla de la Juventud
Why is Isla de la Juventud facing power outages?
The island is experiencing power outages due to a generation deficit, producing only half of its required 28 MW capacity. This situation arose after two generator units went offline.
What actions are being taken to resolve the power crisis?
Intensive maintenance work on local generator units is underway, supported by technical teams, to restore full power capacity within a week.
How does the power outage affect tourism?
The local power system also supplies Cayo Largo del Sur, a major tourist area, so the government is prioritizing the recovery efforts to prevent disruptions in tourism services.