On Thursday, Cuban leader Miguel Díaz-Canel urged improvements in the country's electrical scheduling to ensure a more equitable distribution of power outages. He acknowledged existing "imbalances" between provinces, municipalities, and provincial capitals. Speaking from the Palace of the Revolution via video conference with Communist Party authorities, government officials, and social organizations across the nation, Díaz-Canel addressed the worsening issues with electricity and water supply, emphasizing the need for increased transparency with the public regarding ongoing efforts in these areas.
"The matter of electrical scheduling is crucial. I understand it is challenging, but we've noticed disparities. Sometimes we protect the provincial capital so much that it ends up with a relatively comfortable cycle, while a municipality experiences 25 hours of blackout. This is unacceptable," he stated.
The president called on local authorities to swiftly respond to public demands, seek community-driven solutions, and maintain constant communication about the actions being taken. "We must communicate through all possible channels about the measures in the water resources and energy sectors to overcome this complex situation," he added.
He also addressed crimes affecting the electrical infrastructure, such as the theft of transformers and cables, insisting that such acts should be punished severely. "Revolutionary vigilance, comrades. There are things here that cannot be tolerated and must be sanctioned harshly. Those who target power lines, transformers, substations, or engage in oil and cable theft, threaten the stability of the country and harm it," he declared.
During another part of his speech, Díaz-Canel reinforced a message of resilience: "With the caliber of attacks aimed at us to destroy us, and yet we are alive, planning for the future, preparing for a congress, and discussing solutions [...] it shows that no one here will surrender." He also mentioned, "We will remember the bitterness of these times, but also, with great satisfaction, the resilience and determination we had to overcome."
Prolonged Outages and a System in Crisis
Díaz-Canel's remarks come amid a national energy crisis. On Thursday, the country faced a shortfall of 1,826 megawatts (MW) during peak evening hours, according to official figures from the Unión Eléctrica (UNE). By Friday morning, the deficit was 1,190 MW, with only 1,660 MW available against an estimated demand of 2,820 MW.
The UNE warned that interruptions could extend to affect 1,760 MW at night, nearly half of the national consumption. Complaints about unequal power outage distribution have surged, with some regions experiencing over 30 hours without electricity, while areas in Havana had shorter outages. On Thursday alone, the capital's Electric Company reported 16 hours and 23 minutes of blackouts, impacting all six city blocks.
A System Deteriorated by Breakdowns, Fuel Shortages, and Lack of Maintenance
The collapse of the electrical system is due to multiple structural issues. On Thursday, several generation units—including Felton, Mariel, Santa Cruz, Nuevitas, and Céspedes—were out of service for repairs or maintenance. Additionally, 53 distributed generation plants were halted due to fuel shortages, and others lacked lubricants.
Moreover, the government recently admitted that the Antonio Guiteras thermoelectric plant would soon go offline for maintenance, exacerbating the situation. This plant, one of the country's key facilities, has suffered from years of exploitation without necessary care, as acknowledged by sector authorities.
Communication, Political Control, and Promises Without Timelines
During the meeting, Prime Minister Manuel Marrero Cruz praised the efforts of electrical sector technicians and urged local authorities to support constituency delegates in engaging directly with citizens.
The official narrative continued to emphasize external responsibility. Díaz-Canel linked the energy crisis to "U.S. interference in Venezuela" and the "tightening of the U.S. blockade," accusing it of attempting to "destroy the Revolution."
Meanwhile, millions of Cubans continue to endure prolonged blackouts and the uncertainty of an electrical system that, according to government data, lacks an immediate solution.
Understanding Cuba's Energy Crisis
What is causing the energy crisis in Cuba?
Cuba's energy crisis stems from structural issues like breakdowns in generation units, fuel shortages, and insufficient maintenance of key facilities.
How are power outages affecting Cuban citizens?
The outages result in some areas experiencing over 30 consecutive hours without electricity, while others, like Havana, face shorter interruptions, creating frustration and discomfort.
What measures has Díaz-Canel proposed to address the situation?
Díaz-Canel has called for better electrical scheduling, increased communication with the public, and severe penalties for crimes against the electrical infrastructure.
What external factors does the Cuban government blame for the crisis?
The Cuban government attributes the crisis to U.S. interference in Venezuela and the tightening of the U.S. blockade against Cuba.