Cuba has closed schools and told non-essential workers to stay home due to widespread blackouts caused by a failing electrical grid, resulting from a major power plant outage and severe fuel shortages. Only six of fifteen oil-fired plants are operational, and recent blackouts have heightened public distress amid ongoing economic challenges. Officials expect slight improvements in power conditions over the weekend, but skepticism remains high.
On Friday, Cuba announced the closure of schools and instructed non-essential workers to remain home due to significant failures in its electrical grid, which are linked to the malfunction of a major power plant. Currently, only six of Cuba’s 15 oil-fired power plants are operational, compounded by a severe fuel shortage that has incapacitated backup diesel generators. This issue has resulted in extensive blackouts across the island, the worst recorded since multiple grid failures last year.
The government’s current electrical crisis has been exacerbated by diminishing oil imports from Venezuela, Russia, and Mexico, pushing its outdated power infrastructure into disrepair. In light of this crisis, officials stated they would “suspend… teaching and work activities that are not essential under current conditions,” although they assured that basic services would continue. Residents in Havana, typically sheltered from severe outages, experienced blackouts lasting between six to ten hours recently, while rural areas reported outages lasting up to twenty hours daily.
These electricity disruptions have heightened public anxiety amidst ongoing shortages of essential goods like food, fuel, and medicine, following an exodus of over one million Cubans since the COVID-19 pandemic began. The Cuban government attributes its electrical challenges to the U.S. trade embargo and the stringent sanctions imposed by the previous U.S. administration, which they believe have hindered efforts to maintain the power grid and secure essential supplies. Following recent policy shifts, the U.S. has reinstated sanctions, limiting Cuba’s ability to improve its infrastructure.
Cuban officials expressed optimism for potential improvements in power supply over the weekend as fuel availability is expected to increase. However, many on the island remain skeptical about sustained improvements, given the ongoing challenges in the energy sector and economic conditions.
Cuba faces a significant energy crisis as it deals with critical blackouts stemming from the failure of major power facilities and inadequate fuel supplies. The government’s decision to close schools and limit non-essential work reflects the severity of the situation. As the nation continues to grapple with economic hardships and international sanctions, many residents are left anxious about the future.
Original Source: www.usnews.com
