This Saturday, Villa Clara is experiencing a near-total blackout, with electricity available in just 7 out of over 160 circuits throughout the province. As of 9:40 AM today, most circuits in Villa Clara remained without power due to the unstable and insufficient thermal generation. Yadier Ruiz, the Director of the Load Dispatch, reported that the province is facing a deficit exceeding 135 MW, as shared by the provincial government on Facebook.
Only 22 MW are currently servicing 7 residential circuits out of the more than 160. The electricity generation situation in Cuba continues to be precarious, the report states. The General Director of the Electric Company in Villa Clara, Engineer Eduardo Pérez Reyes, added that only 20 MW was available during last night and into the early hours of today.
Havana Faces Total Blackout
Meanwhile, Havana also woke up to a severe energy crisis this Saturday, following the shutdown of four out of six main blocks of its electrical system. The massive power outage is impacting hundreds of thousands of residents and threatens to persist for several hours as authorities rush to restore power.
According to technical reports from the Electric Company of Havana on Telegram, blocks 1, 3, 4, and 5 are halted due to emergency situations, while another crucial block is under scheduled maintenance. This has drastically reduced generation capacity and forced prolonged outages across various municipalities.
Residents of Havana neighborhoods like Centro Habana, Diez de Octubre, and Marianao have voiced their frustration over the situation. The state company confirmed that the entire city of Havana experienced power disruptions all day on Friday. As of Saturday morning, the service had not yet been restored. The peak power shortfall was 198 MW at 8:40 PM, affecting all six blocks.
The ongoing challenges in generation availability mean that today’s outages are expected to last up to an average of four hours, according to the company. Social media comments highlight that many have already endured several hours without power, impacting food preservation, water access, and communication.
This crisis adds to a series of recurring failures in the country’s energy infrastructure, plagued by outdated equipment, lack of maintenance, and fuel shortages. On Friday night, Cuba faced a generation shortfall of 1,939 megawatts during peak hours, with an expected impact of 1,868 MW for Saturday, according to official sources.
The scale of the deficit has necessitated the implementation of extended and uneven power cuts, making it impossible to establish a stable rotation system for different regions.
Understanding Cuba's Energy Crisis
What caused the blackout in Villa Clara?
The blackout in Villa Clara was primarily caused by unstable and insufficient thermal power generation, resulting in a deficit exceeding 135 MW.
How is Havana affected by the power crisis?
Havana is experiencing a severe power outage due to the shutdown of four out of its six main electrical blocks, affecting hundreds of thousands of residents.
What are the implications of the energy infrastructure issues in Cuba?
The recurring failures in Cuba’s energy infrastructure, marked by outdated equipment and fuel shortages, lead to frequent and prolonged power outages.