The respite in Cuba's electricity supply lasted as long as a snowball in hell. Just as the nation prepared to mark the 99th birthday of dictator Fidel Castro, the fleeting improvement in power supply vanished as soon as the candles were blown out—or more aptly, as soon as the spotlight for propaganda dimmed.
On Wednesday, the Electric Union (UNE) announced via social media that the power generation shortfall the previous day hovered around 1,576 MW, exceeding expectations due to a demand surge and the all-too-familiar breakdowns that seem to have their own schedule.
During the peak hours of the night, three thermal power stations were offline: Unit 5 of the CTE Máximo Gómez, Unit 1 of the CTE Santa Cruz, and predictably, Unit 2 of Felton, which has been out since the lighthouse was lit.
The forecast for Wednesday offers little hope: a 1,475 MW deficit at peak hours, just enough to keep the ovens running—but only in the kitchens of widespread public discontent.
Amidst all this, 68 distributed generation plants are shut down due to lack of fuel, thermal limitations cut off 384 MW, and promises of new units and engines sound more like an out-of-tune orchestra rehearsal than a real solution.
The official narrative of recent days—that seemed to suggest the commander's spirit was illuminating the power plants—has clashed with reality: blackouts lasting up to 20 hours, thawed refrigerators, and sleepless nights.
The relief was so brief that some joke the thermoelectric plants operate only out of "political obligation" and will return to their usual dormancy after August 13th.
In the end, Castro's "energy revolution" and its continuation have left behind an electrical system that can't even sustain itself amidst the tributes. The only spark that remains is that of public outrage.
Cuba's Energy Crisis Explained
What caused the recent power outages in Cuba?
The blackouts were primarily due to a generation shortfall exacerbated by increased demand and frequent breakdowns at major thermal power stations.
How did the government respond to the power crisis?
The government initially suggested an improvement in power supply, but the harsh reality of rolling blackouts and equipment failures contradicted their narrative.