On Friday, Cuban leader Miguel Díaz-Canel appeared on television asserting that the Cuban government is implementing strategies to tackle the ongoing energy crisis. However, he admitted that the impact of these measures is not yet fully visible due to the extensive nature of the issue.
He cynically remarked, "There are solutions, but the magnitude of the problem is so vast that they aren't apparent," as he defended the government's official stance amidst widespread and prolonged power outages. He linked the deterioration of the electrical system to what he described as the "energy blockade" imposed by the United States.
Energy Crisis Sparks Public Discontent
Díaz-Canel portrayed the energy issue as the current source of the greatest discomfort and unrest among the population. In his address, he emphasized that the recent increase in blackouts is a direct result of the intensification of this so-called "energy blockade." He claimed that the country had been proactively preparing for such a scenario with a series of proposed actions and measures that are already underway.
Is the "Blockade" to Blame?
According to Díaz-Canel, no fuel has entered Cuba in the past three months. He justified that under these circumstances, Cuba has been generating electricity during the day using domestic crude oil, thermoelectric plants, and contributions from renewable energy sources, especially solar parks. He cited that solar energy accounts for 49 to 51 percent of electricity production, varying with sunlight and system conditions.
At night, the country relies on thermoelectric plants and gas extracted alongside domestic crude oil for power generation. Before last week, there were still some reserves of fuel oil and diesel used at key locations in the energy system: distributed generation engines in Moa and an engine system in Mariel. However, after three months without fuel imports, those reserves have been depleted, resulting in a significant reduction in available megawatts, particularly during peak and nighttime hours.
Consequences of Fuel Shortage
Díaz-Canel described a chain reaction of technical issues that led to significant instability in the system. He noted that the shutdown of these power plants caused fluctuations and a sudden shutdown of the Guiteras thermoelectric plant, followed by a massive blackout, though he avoided using the term directly.
To address the crisis, he explained that restoring the system required fuel even for island groups to jump-start thermoelectric plants and synchronize solar parks.
A Different Kind of Crisis
The leader differentiated the current crisis from past situations, stating that in January and February, the government managed to keep blackouts from exceeding those of December and controlled the situation effectively with planned strategies, despite some prolonged cuts. He attributed the current fragility to the loss of additional distributed generation capacities.
He also mentioned that Cuba has over 1,400 megawatts of recovered distributed generation ready but cannot utilize them due to the lack of fuel. If the country had access to this resource, it could add this generation at night, significantly reducing peak hour deficits and minimizing disruptions.
Social Impact and Blame
In his address, Díaz-Canel acknowledged the severe social impact of the crisis. He noted that some communities, not just in Havana but also in provinces, have experienced over 30 hours without power, leading to "excitability," "discontent," and "anguish" among residents. He added that the electricity shortage concurrently affects water supply and pumping, productive services, communications, healthcare, education, and transportation.
Despite acknowledging these challenges, he denied that the government, the Revolution, or the Electric Union are at fault. "The government is not to blame, nor is the revolution," he asserted, attributing the situation solely to the "energy blockade" and praising the efforts of electrical workers, whom he called "titans" working long hours, even as their families endure the blackouts.
Díaz-Canel expressed regret that amid the legitimate discontent, some people respond by criticizing the Revolution, the government, or the electric institution. In his view, the nation is doing "the impossible" to overcome an exceptional circumstance.
Understanding Cuba's Energy Crisis
What measures is Cuba taking to address the energy crisis?
The Cuban government claims to be implementing various actions, including using domestic crude oil and renewable energy sources like solar parks to generate electricity, although the effects are not yet fully evident.
How has the energy crisis affected the Cuban population?
The energy crisis has caused significant discomfort, with some communities experiencing long power outages, leading to disruptions in water supply, healthcare, education, and other essential services.
What is Díaz-Canel's stance on the cause of the energy crisis?
Díaz-Canel attributes the energy crisis to the "energy blockade" by the United States and defends the government's efforts in managing the situation, denying any fault lies with the government or the Revolution.