The Holguín Power Company ignited a storm of criticism on social media after they posted a tribute on Thursday to the so-called "energy legacy" of dictator Fidel Castro (1926-2016). This comes amidst an ongoing and severe power crisis plaguing Cuba.
Shared on the company's Facebook page to mark the late leader's centenary, the post hailed Castro as "the great visionary who pointed the way to renewable energy sources."
The statement claimed that Castro recognized the importance of advancing the energy transition, promoting sustainable development, and gradually reducing reliance on fossil fuels.
The message also credited Castro with the initiation of experimental wind farms, the installation of wind measurement stations, the spread of photovoltaic systems in rural areas, and the utilization of hydropower.
The company concluded that this "legacy" calls for the construction of a "more sustainable and sovereign" electric power system today.
Instead of support, the post received a flood of critical comments from users who contrasted this narrative with the harsh reality of prolonged blackouts in the country.
"They should be ashamed and not talk about this," one user commented. Another person noted, "It seems you didn't pay much attention because we're worse off than ever."
Several internet users recalled promises made during the so-called Energy Revolution. One cited a speech given by Castro in Pinar del Río on January 17, 2006, when he claimed that the province "would never experience blackouts again." "Look at how the visionary fared in Pinar del Río," another remarked sarcastically.
Skepticism also extended to the renewable facilities mentioned by the company. "Are those wind turbines even working?" Dany asked, while another individual noted that Gibara's wind farms "had their good moments," lamenting that wind power never received the necessary backing.
Other comments directly questioned the energy policies pushed by the regime. "Which Fidel, the one who encouraged the use of electric pressure cookers because there wouldn't be any more blackouts? The one who promised us prosperity? Quite the prophet," wrote Julito RL.
One netizen summed up their opinion with a succinct "Just another failure among many," while another dubbed the former leader as "The king of misery."
Some felt the official message was offensive to a population subjected to daily power cuts. "News like this shouldn't be posted because it's mocking," stated one user.
This reaction occurs as the National Electric System continues to face a generation deficit, resulting in extensive blackouts across much of the country.
In this context, invoking Fidel Castro's supposed energy legacy turned into a platform for many Cubans to express their frustration over a crisis that, two decades after the Energy Revolution, continues to affect the daily lives of millions.
The message emerged just days after Cuba experienced its seventh total blackout of the National Electric System in 2026, amidst the most severe power crisis Holguín has seen in recent history.
The province has only 70 MW available against a maximum demand of 240 MW—less than 30% of what's needed, with residential circuits receiving about three hours of electricity amid outages that can exceed 50 continuous hours.
Of the 70 MW available, 26 are allocated to essential services and about 20 to the nickel industry, leaving just 14 MW to meet a residential demand of 190 MW.
The transformer situation exacerbates the problem. In Holguín, an average of 2.5 units are damaged daily, while the government receives only 10 replacement units every 20 days.
From January to June 2026, the damaged transformers increased to 252, a nearly 35% rise compared to the same period last year.
The Holguín electric company's post follows a pattern of official centenary initiatives that have met similar rejection.
Understanding the Energy Crisis in Cuba
What is the current state of the power crisis in Holguín?
Holguín is facing a severe power crisis with only 70 MW available compared to a demand of 240 MW. This results in frequent and prolonged blackouts affecting residents daily.
How are renewable energy efforts viewed in Cuba?
While there have been efforts to introduce renewable energy, such as wind farms and solar panels, these initiatives have often lacked the necessary support and investment, leading to skepticism about their effectiveness.