Cuba's Energy Minister Vicente de la O Levy stated that the national electrical grid had recovered to 500 megawatts early Saturday after the significant power outage caused by the failure of the Antonio Guiteras plant. He noted that several western substations were online and two thermoelectric plants were functioning again, with two more expected to resume operations shortly, indicating a gradual restoration effort amidst ongoing challenges.
The recent blackout, which left millions without power, was described as unprecedented in modern times for Cuba, reflecting a severe strain on the island's aged electrical infrastructure. Officials indicated that the supply failure was further aggravated by breakdowns of old thermoelectric plants, exacerbated by increasing energy demands from both residences and businesses, particularly from air conditioners during peak hours.
In response to the blackout and to slash electricity demand, the Cuban government implemented emergency measures, including suspending classes, shutting down some state-owned enterprises, and cancelling nonessential services. This drastic move highlights the seriousness of the situation, as the outages were reportedly caused by a combination of maintenance failures in plants and the country's inability to secure sufficient fuel for operations.
Authorities noted that the blackout's root causes include older plants lacking proper maintenance and changes in energy consumption due to increased summer demand, especially from small and medium-sized enterprises. The government is also contemplating adjustments to electricity rates for these businesses, illustrating the need for a comprehensive strategy to cope with ongoing energy supply challenges.
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