Havana woke up on Saturday facing a severe energy crisis as four out of the six main blocks of the city's electrical system were rendered inoperative. This massive blackout affects hundreds of thousands of residents and threatens to persist for hours as authorities race against time to restore power.
According to technical reports from the Havana Electric Company on Telegram, blocks 1, 3, 4, and 5 are halted due to emergencies, while another crucial block is offline for scheduled maintenance. This situation has drastically reduced generating capacity, leading to extended power cuts across various neighborhoods.
Residents from areas such as Centro Habana, Diez de Octubre, and Marianao have voiced their frustration over the ongoing situation. The state-run company confirmed that the electrical service was disrupted all day Friday in Havana, and by Saturday morning, the service had yet to be restored. The peak disruption reached 198 MW at 8:40 pm, affecting all six units.
"The conditions in the availability of generation continue, so for today, disruptions will persist with average durations of up to 4 hours," the company stated. Comments on social media reveal that some have already endured several hours without electricity, impacting food preservation, water access, and communication.
This crisis adds to a series of recurring failures in the nation's energy infrastructure, plagued by outdated equipment, lack of maintenance, and fuel shortages. On Friday, Cuba's generation deficit hit 1,939 megawatts during the evening peak, with an estimated impact of 1,868 MW for Saturday, according to official sources. The scale of the deficit has necessitated prolonged and uneven power cuts, making it impossible to implement a stable rotation system across different regions.
In numerous provinces, blackouts exceed 12 hours daily, severely affecting households, hospitals, workplaces, and essential services. This unsustainable situation complicates daily life, from spoiled refrigerated food to challenges in water pumping and medical care in facilities reliant on auxiliary power plants.
In recent months, power outages have become a routine part of life, fueling social discontent and pressuring authorities to seek emergency solutions. Meanwhile, Havana's residents face the uncertainty of not knowing how long they will remain in darkness, reminiscent of the prolonged power crises of past decades.
Understanding Havana's Power Outage Crisis
What caused the power outage in Havana?
The power outage in Havana was caused by the shutdown of four out of six main blocks of the city's electrical system due to emergencies, alongside maintenance on another key block.
How long are the power cuts expected to last?
The power cuts are expected to last with average durations of up to 4 hours, although some areas have already experienced several hours without electricity.
What are the impacts of the power outage on residents?
The power outage has impacted residents by disrupting food preservation, water access, communication, and essential services, causing significant frustration and inconvenience.