Cuban leader Miguel Díaz-Canel has acknowledged what Cubans have long experienced: the national power grid is in a dire state. In an interview with Brazilian journalist Breno Altman, broadcasted on the official YouTube channel of the Cuban Presidency, he admitted that the country's energy infrastructure is "technologically obsolete." The thermoelectric plants, which have surpassed their intended lifespan, have not received proper maintenance, which he attributed to the tightening of the U.S. embargo.
Díaz-Canel confessed, "Our main source of electricity generation, the Cuban thermoelectric plants, are 40 years old. Most have exceeded their useful life. They operate because of the ingenuity of our technicians, but lack investment and maintenance." The recurring power outages, sparking protests and widespread dissatisfaction within and beyond the island, have become a daily ordeal for Cubans.
Underlying Issues Beyond the Embargo
While Díaz-Canel claims there is a "strategy" to address the crisis, he also conceded that the issues transcend the embargo. There is a shortage of investment, mismanagement of funds, technical and operational errors, and economic policies that "haven't had the intended impact." The energy deficit, he acknowledged, stems from multiple factors, including inadequate imported fuel and halted plants due to a lack of spare parts. "We have not been able to expand thermal generation. We haven't had fuel oil or diesel for distributed generation plants," he stated.
The consequences are severe: extended blackouts, scarcity of refrigerated foods, disruptions in hospitals, school interruptions, and a societal strain that exacerbates the migration crisis. Despite these admissions, the leader maintains that the U.S. blockade is chiefly to blame, even as he recognizes internal missteps and management failures.
External Blame and Internal Admissions
In the interview, Díaz-Canel attempted to present an image of national resilience, focusing primarily on external factors for the country's challenges. He cited hurricanes, climate change, the pandemic, and declining tourism as exacerbating the situation, asserting that solutions can only come from socialism. He also lamented the exodus of professionals and its impact on critical sectors like health and education, yet offered no immediate solutions. "We lack medicines, and health indicators like infant mortality have deteriorated, but we do not abandon our social achievements," he declared.
Unpopular but 'Necessary' Decisions
Addressing the recent hikes in mobile phone and internet access fees, which have spurred student protests, Díaz-Canel described them as "unpopular but necessary" to prevent the collapse of the telecommunications system. "We made communication errors regarding the measure, we acknowledge that. But without foreign currency income, there are no gigabytes for anyone," he stated.
Future Prospects and Investments
The leader announced investments in renewable energy and plant repairs, though he admitted that the benefits would not be immediate. He promised 1,000 MW in renewable capacity by the end of the year but did not elaborate on how or with what funding these plans would be realized amidst an increasingly restrictive economic and financial landscape.
Meanwhile, the Cuban populace remains in the dark, both literally and figuratively. Transparency about government spending priorities is scarce, with rising prices, stagnant salaries, and no access to legal opposition or independent media within the country.
Understanding Cuba's Energy Crisis
What are the main reasons for Cuba's energy crisis?
Cuba's energy crisis is primarily due to an outdated and poorly maintained infrastructure, a lack of investment, mismanagement of funds, and a series of technical and operational errors. External factors like the U.S. embargo also play a significant role.
How is the Cuban government addressing the power grid issues?
The government has announced plans to invest in renewable energy and repair existing plants. However, the effects of these investments are not expected to be immediate, and there is limited information on the financing of these projects.
What impact does the energy crisis have on Cuban society?
The energy crisis has led to frequent blackouts, food shortages, disruptions in healthcare and education, and increased social unrest, further driving the migration crisis.