Amidst one of the most severe energy crises the country has faced, the commercial director of the Electric Company in Isla de la Juventud, Yosvany Hernández, urged residents on Friday to continue conserving energy, despite the prolonged power outages impacting much of the nation. "We continue to ask the public to keep saving energy and to help reduce peak demand," Hernández stated during a brief announcement on the local television station Islavisión's YouTube channel.
According to Hernández, peak electricity demand reached 24.42 megawatts (MW) on Thursday. By integrating the Fe Two unit and operating the MAN Five unit—although only with 2 MW available—they managed to meet the demand without affecting the circuits, he explained. However, he noted that maintenance work is still underway on the Fe One and MAN Five units.
The public's reaction was swift. On social media, numerous Cubans labeled the request as "shameful" and "insulting," given that in many areas, power outages can last up to 24 hours, and when electricity is restored, it lasts only a few hours. "What savings?" one user commented, "when there's never any power." Other comments criticized the government's inconsistency between what is demanded from the people and what is allowed in tourist zones or leisure spaces. "So many homes without power, yet the Malecón in Havana is lit up and hosting concerts," a commentator pointed out, highlighting the widespread perception of governmental double standards regarding resource usage.
Public Outcry and Criticism
Criticism also targeted the inefficiency of the Cuban energy system and the underutilization of solar power installations. Citizens like Orestes Rodríguez emphasized that hundreds of thousands of solar panels distributed throughout the country are not being used effectively, which could ease the crisis if managed properly.
Beyond the frustration, many expressed deep exhaustion. "What they ask of us is not conservation; it's resignation," wrote Edith Tamayo, referring to the hardships of living without electricity: no rest, no production, no food preservation.
Historical Context and Recent Developments
For years, Cubans almost considered it a mantra that "in Isla de la Juventud, the power never goes out." This wasn't just folklore; in March, official media acknowledged that the region had its own power generation capacity sufficient to avoid outages, even during widespread blackouts affecting the main island.
However, reality shattered this myth as the island territory began experiencing scheduled blackouts similar to those occurring throughout the country, extending into the day and early morning hours. Many noted that these scheduled outages began after a visit from leader Miguel Díaz-Canel, who traveled to the special municipality with Commander Ramiro Valdés—in charge of the "recovery" strategy for the National Electric System—to attend the central event marking the 70th anniversary of dictator Fidel Castro's release from the infamous Presidio Modelo.
Growing Discontent and Calls for Change
The crisis has sparked an unprecedented wave of public discontent that goes beyond mere complaints about power outages. Social media users have recently circulated messages calling for the independence of this Cuban territory, demanding its own republic, free from central government control in Havana.
Amidst the growing unrest, the Electric Company of Isla de la Juventud called on the public to maintain trust in its workers. In an interesting twist, in June, the director of the dispatch unit of the Electric Union in Isla de la Juventud, Ignacio Moya, apologized for using the word "blackout" on TV, highlighting the linguistic distortions of Cuban leadership and officials to avoid naming reality for what it is. "The blackouts continue, that is, the impact on the client, excuse me…" said Moya. During the daily report on the territory's electricity situation, the forbidden word slipped out, naming the reality that the Cuban people face daily: blackouts.
Understanding the Energy Crisis in Cuba
What is causing the power outages in Cuba?
The power outages in Cuba are primarily due to the inefficiency of the national energy system, underutilization of renewable energy sources like solar power, and insufficient generation capacities.
How has the public reacted to the government's energy-saving request?
The public has reacted negatively, viewing the request as unrealistic and offensive due to existing long-lasting outages and perceived governmental double standards in resource management.
What are some suggested solutions to alleviate the energy crisis in Cuba?
Solutions include improving the efficiency of the energy system, better management, and utilization of solar power installations, and increasing generation capacity to meet demand.