Cuba energy crisis – level 3

Cuba energy crisis

06-12-2024 07:00

Cuba faced a major blackout when its national grid collapsed, leaving millions without power.

By evening, only about 533 MW of electricity was generated, far below the 3,000 MW needed during peak demand. The government prioritized restoring power to hospitals and water systems, while schools and non-essential services remained closed. Power was partially restored in Havana, but over 260,000 homes remained in darkness.

This crisis stems from the country’s aging power grid, worsened by fuel shortages, natural disasters, and economic challenges. Key power plants, including the Antonio Guiteras plant in Matanzas, were offline due to failures or maintenance. The shortage of oil imports from Venezuela, Russia, and Mexico has pushed Cuba’s oil-based plants into a deeper crisis.

Citizens are frustrated by blackouts, food, water, and medicine shortages. In response, some protests have occurred. The government recently mandated businesses use renewable energy and reduce electricity consumption.

Difficult words: prioritize (to treat something as being very important), stem from (to be caused by), mandate (to order officially).

You can watch the video news lower on this page.

What measures has the Cuban government taken in response to the power crisis and what factors have contributed to the country's aging power grid?

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