Cuba Faces Energy Crisis: Another Blackout Strikes Amid Ongoing Struggles
Cuba experienced its fourth major blackout in just six months due to a failure at the Diezmero electrical substation on Friday night, significantly impacting the National Electric System (SEN). The Ministry of Energy reported that at approximately 8:15 PM local time, the failure led to a considerable loss of generation in western Cuba, ultimately resulting in the collapse of the National Electric System. Recovery efforts were announced by the Cuban government soon after the incident.
This latest disconnection comes during a worsening energy emergency in Cuba, a situation that has persisted due to a combination of scarce natural resources and inadequate investment in electrical infrastructure. Residents across the nation have endured extended power cuts, with cities like Havana implementing scheduled service suspensions recently.
Cuban President Miguel Díaz-Canel has been vocal about the ongoing restoration efforts, highlighting the intense work underway to rebuild the electrical system following the widespread blackout. He took to social media to communicate that since the blackout, authorities have engaged in constant discussions with Energy Minister Vicente de la O. Díaz-Canel reassured the public that although the situation remains grave, some areas have begun to see the restoration of service.
In a bid to stabilize the situation, several provinces have already established microsystems, allowing for a more localized response to energy needs, and synchronization of generation units has begun, as shared by the President.
Essential services are being prioritized during these restoration efforts; however, no timeline has been provided by officials regarding when a full restoration of electricity services can be expected. As Cuba continues to grapple with the consequences of a persistent energy crisis, the impacts are being felt across the island, raising concerns about the reliability of the country's electrical infrastructure and the future of energy provision in the face of ongoing challenges.
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