The Cuban government announced this Wednesday that officials from the Ministry of Energy and Mines and the Electric Union will appear tonight on the television program Mesa Redonda to provide information on the national power situation and the actions that will be undertaken for its recovery, which has been interpreted by many Cubans as a concerning statement.
According to the official website of the program, the broadcast will take place at 7:00 p.m. on Cubavisión, Cubavisión Internacional, Radio Rebelde, and Radio Habana Cuba, as well as on the social media channels of Ideas Multimedios.
The government-backed Canal Caribe published a video on Facebook announcing a special broadcast of the Mesa Redonda dedicated to the energy crisis, featuring officials from the electricity sector.
In the comments section, the reactions from internet users were immediate: many expressed their frustration, disbelief, and exasperation at what they anticipate as yet another attempt by the regime to justify the blackouts without providing concrete solutions. Most fear a new collapse –even worse than previous ones– of the National Electric System.
One of the most notable comments was from Gilberto Rivas, who ironically stated that what will really be seen on television will be “a repeat of the Round Table from 2021, 2022, 2023, and 2024.”
According to his critique, the official discourse will once again emphasize that "investments are being made, repairs are being carried out" and that "this summer, there will be fewer disruptions," accompanied by the familiar argument about changing the energy matrix to achieve "greater sovereignty."
Rivas concluded that the usual will not be missing: pointing to the American embargo as the culprit for everything.
Elsido Aguilar Hernández directly questioned the usefulness of the program: “What’s the point? We already know everything they are going to say, nothing new.”
In his message, he expressed the widespread frustration regarding what he described as a repetitive and empty discourse: “In the end, we’ll end up the same or worse. It’s all lies, no one believes them anymore,” he stated, pointing out that the population has lost all credibility in the leaders.
It concluded with a direct demand: "We need changes, and we need them now!"
Jen Jim, another internet user, expressed her outrage at the disconnect between government media and the reality that much of the country experiences: "It’s clear that you, the news people, never experience power outages. I don't see you sweating from a lack of air conditioning," she wrote.
He also criticized that the Mesa Redonda is designed for "the privileged Havana residents who always have power," and questioned that the program will be watched precisely by those who do not endure the harshest blackouts, in contrast to Cubans in the provinces who live for hours without electricity each day.
On its part, Trance Seeker lamented that history keeps repeating itself without providing real solutions: “We have lived this story a few times already… solutions, and not the 'they will tackle' in the future,” they wrote.
He emphasized the need for the minister to explain how the electricity deficit will be distributed fairly among the provinces, pointing out that, according to data from the Villa Clara Electric Company, that province experienced 23 hours and 58 minutes of outages, which is practically a total blackout for the entire day.
Meanwhile, he noted, concerts and event tickets are being announced in Havana through the Ticket app.
"Some don't even have anything to cook the food they were able to obtain," he criticized, demanding concrete actions: "They need to explain that clearly... we're tired of hearing 'work is being done'... we want real solutions, otherwise, they shouldn't even go, because every time they do, things get worse."
What promises could be expected from the regime?
The Cuban regime is once again rolling out its familiar repertoire of promises, with summer as the backdrop and electrical shortages as an unavoidable reality.
According to the official newspaper Granma, it was reiterated this Wednesday that the goal is to reduce power outages to an average of four hours per day per customer, thanks to a supposed increase of 13 GWh in generation and greater control over consumption.
However, this narrative continues to feed false hopes in a population that has heard the same words year after year, without seeing tangible improvements.
Meanwhile, the actual deficit exceeds 1,600 MW at night and it is estimated that only 1,120 MW of thermal generation will be available in July, a figure well below the national demand, which already surpasses 3,000 MW even in the early morning hours.
The "gradual" strategy announced by the Ministry of Energy and Mines relies on repairs, postponed maintenance, promises to recover key units like Felton 2 and Mariel 7, and even advances in solar energy that are insufficient to cover the thermal capacity lost since 2019.
Additionally, Granma itself held the population responsible for the collapse of transformers due to the simultaneous use of appliances, while admitting that the island has imported over 17 million electrical devices in the last six years, raising a demand that the system cannot sustain.
With an energy recovery projected to last until 2026, Cubans are facing another summer of blackouts, recycled promises, and an official narrative that is becoming increasingly unconvincing.
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Frequently Asked Questions about the Energy Crisis in Cuba
Why has the Cuban regime called officials together to discuss the energy crisis?
The Cuban government has called upon officials from the Ministry of Energy and Mines and the Electric Union to report on the national electricity situation and the actions for its recovery. Many Cubans have interpreted this call as an attempt to justify the crisis without providing concrete solutions. The population has expressed frustration and skepticism regarding the lack of effective responses to address the blackouts.
What is the current situation of electricity generation in Cuba?
The electricity generation deficit in Cuba has reached critical levels, exceeding 1,700 MW at times. This is due to the low generation availability against the high demand, compounded by a lack of maintenance in thermal power plants, fuel shortages, and outdated infrastructure. The situation has led to prolonged blackouts that severely impact the daily lives of Cubans.
What measures is the Cuban government taking to address the energy crisis?
The Cuban government has implemented measures such as scheduled and rotating blackouts in an attempt to distribute the impacts. However, these measures have not been sufficient to resolve the energy crisis. Additionally, the government announced a plan for the recovery of the electrical system, which includes the use of renewable energy and the rehabilitation of electrical networks, although the lack of investment and resources remains a critical obstacle.
How does the lack of fuel affect the energy crisis in Cuba?
The lack of fuel has rendered numerous distributed generation plants out of service. This shortage contributes to the deficit in generation and the massive blackouts experienced by the country. The dependence on fossil fuel and the absence of viable alternatives have further complicated the energy situation on the island.
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