After enduring five continuous days without electricity due to a transformer failure, numerous residents of Diezmero in San Miguel del Padrón took to the streets on Friday to protest by blocking a road. This demonstration, which gained attention on social media platforms such as La Tijera, highlights the escalating dissatisfaction with Cuba's ongoing energy crisis.
“Our children are taking final exams and they haven’t been able to attend school because our home conditions are inadequate,” a concerned mother stated during the protest. Neighbors also reported spoiled food due to lack of refrigeration, worsening the already challenging food situation for many families. “The food is going bad, and the kids can’t go to school. We blocked the street hoping our voices would be heard,” expressed one of the protesters.
Those affected claimed that following their protest, the Electric Company arrived with a new transformer. Unfortunately, this is not an isolated incident. Frustration over power outages has surged in Havana, where blackouts have become increasingly prolonged, erratic, and frequent.
Impact of Power Outages in Havana
The population struggles with growing challenges in preserving food, getting a good night's sleep, or studying, all amidst high temperatures and no signs of improvement. Havana’s Electric Company has stated that these blackouts are emergency measures to balance generation deficits within the National Energy System (SEN), and that outages are distributed equitably across different sectors.
However, many citizens criticize the lack of consistency and transparency in managing these power cuts. Additionally, incidents like transformer breakdowns exacerbate the duration of outages. Authorities have attempted to encourage the use of renewable energy sources and improve energy efficiency, yet these efforts have yielded minimal results against the structural collapse of the system.
Challenges in Addressing the Energy Crisis
The absence of investment in infrastructure and reliance on fossil fuels remain significant barriers to effectively resolving the energy crisis. The situation underscores the need for substantial changes and investments to overhaul the current system and alleviate the burdens faced by the Cuban population.
Common Questions About Cuba's Energy Crisis
What caused the power outage in San Miguel del Padrón?
A transformer failure led to a five-day power outage in the Diezmero area of San Miguel del Padrón.
How did the residents of Diezmero respond to the blackout?
Residents blocked a street in protest after enduring five days without electricity, aiming to draw attention to their plight.
What are the broader issues with electricity in Havana?
Havana faces prolonged and erratic power outages as part of emergency measures due to deficits in the National Energy System.