After several hours of a widespread blackout on Wednesday, due to a malfunction that disconnected the Antonio Guiteras thermoelectric plant, electricity is gradually being restored in Cuba's capital, as per reports from the authorities. The state-run media outlet, Cubadebate, announced that by 11:30 AM, three transmission substations had been powered up, allowing 23 distribution circuits to become operational, primarily benefiting the municipalities of Guanabacoa, Arroyo Naranjo, and Boyeros.
This development brings partial relief to thousands of Havana residents who had been without power since the previous night, although not all areas have regained electricity yet. The Ministry of Energy and Mines stated, "Energás Boca de Jaruco has started, initiating the process of supplying energy to thermoelectrics and substations. The process of restoring the National Electric System continues."
Challenges Persist Despite Restoration Efforts
The government emphasizes that this is a "gradual" process and urges the public to stay informed through official channels on Telegram, WhatsApp, ToDus, as well as social media and the hotline 18888. The service disruption, which affected the capital in addition to the rest of the country, originated from the shutdown of the Antonio Guiteras plant, the nation's largest, highlighting the fragility of the National Electric System.
Despite claims of progress, residents in Havana face uncertainty about when normalcy will return to all circuits in the city. The lack of transparency and clear information regarding the root causes of the blackout has only fueled public distrust.
Government's Response and Public Sentiment
Following the outage that left Cuba in the dark on Wednesday, the Ministry of Energy and Mines confirmed the creation of "microsystems" to ensure power for some critical operations. Meanwhile, Cuban Prime Minister Manuel Marrero Cruz boasted of the government's well-defined strategy to tackle the total collapse of the National Electric System—though not to prevent it—which occurred in the morning after the unexpected shutdown of the Antonio Guiteras Thermoelectric Plant in Matanzas.
In contrast, while millions of Cubans endure the blackout, the Ministry of Tourism issued a message to foreign visitors to convey "confidence and security." The ministry assured that "most of our hotels and tourist services have electric generators and necessary resources to operate normally," ensuring that tourism facilities remain unaffected by the blackout.
Long-Term Solutions Still Out of Reach
The ongoing energy crisis, characterized by daily blackouts and deteriorating power plants, has created a climate of frustration among the populace, who view each "gradual restoration" as a temporary fix rather than a structural solution. While authorities celebrate the reconnection of a few substations, ordinary Cubans continue to wait for a lasting answer to a problem that impacts their daily lives, once again highlighting the system's inability to provide a stable and reliable electrical service.
Understanding Cuba's Energy Crisis
What caused the recent blackout in Havana?
The blackout was caused by a malfunction that led to the disconnection of the Antonio Guiteras thermoelectric plant, the largest in the country, which exposed the weaknesses of Cuba's National Electric System.
How is the Cuban government addressing the power outages?
The government is working on a "gradual" restoration process and has implemented "microsystems" to ensure power for critical operations. However, there is criticism regarding the lack of preventive measures and transparency.
Are tourists affected by the power outages in Cuba?
The Ministry of Tourism has reassured visitors that most hotels and tourist services have generators and necessary resources to operate normally, ensuring that tourism facilities are not impacted by the blackouts.