Cuba faces general blackout after collapse of its main thermoelectric plant

Cuba suffered this Friday, October 18, 2024, a total collapse of the electrical system as a result of the shutdown of its main thermoelectric plant, reported the Ministry of Energy and Mines, in a context of “energy emergency” in the country.

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“The system ran out of power throughout the country,” after the unforeseen departure of the Antonio Guiteras thermoelectric plant, the main one in the country, Lázaro Guerra, general director of Electricity of the Ministry of Energy and Mines, told state television.

On Thursday, The government announced the cessation of labor activity in the state sectoramong other measures to face the crisis that in recent weeks has left the population of several provinces up to 20 hours without light in one day.

Guerra specified that when the thermoelectric plant went out of service, “the system collapsed, that is, it has been at total zero since that time,” and that the government is working to restore service as soon as possible.

President Miguel Díaz-Canel said in his account on X that “there will be no rest until its restoration“, and that the government dedicates “absolute priority to the attention and solution of this highly sensitive energy contingency.”

Díaz-Canel had said on Thursday on the same social network that the island faces a “energy emergency“due to problems acquiring fuel to feed its energy system, due to the tightening of the embargo that Washington has applied against the island since 1962.

The streets of Havana looked practically empty this Friday, with no public transportation, little vehicular traffic and no traffic lights; some private businesses were open. Local authorities indicated that only hospitals and food production centers would remain in operation.

Classes were suspended in the country at all levels until Monday and in several municipalities of the city, nightclubs and entertainment and recreation venues will remain closed.

Cubans have been suffering for three months from the hated blackouts that had lasted longer and were more frequentwith a deficit of 30% in national coverage on many days. On Thursday, almost a 50% deficit was recorded, a problem that irritates the population even more.

How is energy generated in Cuba?

On the island, Electricity is generated through eight worn-out thermoelectric plants that in some cases have breakdowns or are under maintenance, as well as seven floating plants – which the government rents to Turkish companies – and generator sets.

For the most part, this infrastructure requires fuel to operate.

The island livesThe worst crisis in three decades with shortages of food, medicine and chronic blackouts that limit the development of productive activities.

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