The Antonio Guiteras Thermoelectric Plant, Cuba's largest power-generating facility situated in Matanzas, shared a technical update on its Facebook page this Friday, sparking a wave of mockery, irony, and collective sarcasm among Cubans.
The plant announced that following a successful hydraulic test, it would proceed to clean the boiler using a mixture of water and phosphate to "neutralize the acidity until achieving a neutral pH."
The official statement highlighted that this procedure "may take several hours, depending on how quickly the pH reaches 7," with Havana's EMCE [Empresa de Mantenimiento a Centrales Eléctricas] General Services leading the effort, and concluded with a brief "we will continue to update."
What ensued in the comments section was a masterclass in Cuban dark humor at the expense of the regime and its beleaguered energy infrastructure.
One user summed up the common sentiment with a Cuban slang phrase that says it all: "The never-ending story hahaha." This phrase refers to something endless and cyclic with no tangible outcome, an apt description for the Guiteras Plant, which has experienced at least 17 unplanned outages so far in 2026 and hasn't undergone major maintenance since 2010.
Other commenters chose academic irony. "I love how much I'm learning from these updates [...] I think this came up in my final Chemistry exam in 11th grade," one wrote. Another user sarcastically rejoiced: "Thanks, I'm almost ready to graduate as an engineer, don't worry, creative resistance."
Someone else went straight to the point with a complete formula: "pH=-Log[H+], where [H+] is the hydrogen or hydronium ion concentration in moles per liter [...] by applying this formula, surely the power will come."
Comparisons to popular culture quickly surfaced: "This soap opera has more seasons than 'La Rosa de Guadalupe,'" one user quipped. Another resignedly pointed out: "All that for it to last 3 hours." Perhaps best capturing the accumulated skepticism was the comment: "Take your time!!! We'll do what’s left the day after tomorrow during the next shutdown!" Regarding the plant's future, a user jokingly predicted that Cuban thermoelectric plants "only operate at pH 7” and that "in the future, they'll have to choose between Pasta Perla or Colgate."
The backdrop to these jests is grim. The total collapse of the National Electric System on September 18 marked the eighth national blackout of the year. Guiteras suffered further damage to the economizer, and a leak was detected during the hydraulic test on September 23, further delaying repairs.
This Friday, the forecast for peak demand hours was an availability of 1140 MW, with a demand of 3100 MW, resulting in a 1960 MW shortfall, which, if circumstances remained unchanged, would lead to a 1990 MW impact, as reported by Unión Eléctrica on its social media.
A more lasting solution for the Guiteras, involving complex repair and general maintenance work, would require, according to reports, an approximately six-month shutdown, an intervention the regime has not undertaken in over 15 years. Meanwhile, Cubans remain in the dark, learning pH chemistry from Facebook technical reports.
Key Issues with Cuba's Energy Infrastructure
Why is the Antonio Guiteras Plant frequently experiencing outages?
The plant has not undergone significant maintenance since 2010 and has faced at least 17 unplanned outages in 2026 alone, indicating severe infrastructure issues.
What is required for a lasting solution to the Guiteras Plant's problems?
A comprehensive repair and maintenance operation, reportedly needing a six-month shutdown, is necessary for a durable fix, a step that hasn't been taken in over 15 years.
What impact do the outages have on Cuba's energy supply?
The outages contribute to significant energy deficits, with projections showing a shortfall of 1960 MW against a demand of 3100 MW during peak times, resulting in widespread blackouts.