The energy crisis affecting Cuba has intensified after the recent passage of Hurricane Rafael, leaving thousands of Cubans without electricity in most of the western part of the island. In view of this situation, the Russian government has announced the sending of aid to alleviate the prolonged blackouts affecting the country.
An energy backup from Moscow
Russian Deputy Prime Minister Dmitry Chernyshenko reported that President Vladimir Putin has ordered the shipment of 80,000 tons of diesel to Cuba, valued at approximately US$60 million.
This fuel will be used to bolster power generation on the island, whose energy system has been severely affected by the storm and faces growing unmet demand.
During a meeting of the Russia-Cuba Intergovernmental Commission, Chernyshenko explained that, in addition to the diesel, Russia will send repair equipment and materials valued at $2 million.
These repair kits will be delivered through the Russian Ministry of Emergency Situations to assist in the recovery of damaged power facilities.
Critical situation of the electrical system in Cuba
The devastation left by Rafael has highlighted the difficulties of the Cuban electrical system to meet demand.
According to Lázaro Guerra Hernández, general director of Electricity of the Ministry of Energy and Mines of Cuba, the country faces a generation deficit of about 480 MW. Havana, one of the areas most affected by the hurricane, has only 17% of electricity coverage, concentrated mainly in the eastern and central areas of the city.
This energy crisis has resulted in widespread blackouts that affect the population and have paralyzed many daily activities. The situation has been aggravated by the recent failure of the Antonio Guiteras power plant in Matanzas, which had already left much of the island without service weeks before the passage of Rafael.
Sustained Russian aid to Cuba
Russia has maintained a history of economic and energy support to Cuba over the years. In 2015, Moscow granted a €1.2 billion loan for the construction of energy infrastructure on the island. Despite the financial challenges, the Russian government granted in 2023 an extension for the payment of this debt, extending the term to 2040.
Cuba attributes its energy crisis to the economic sanctions imposed by the United States, which hinder the acquisition of fuel needed for its thermoelectric plants. However, the problems have worsened following recent weather events and recurrent failures in power plants.
The challenge of recovery
Russia's assistance represents a temporary relief for a situation that remains critical. Cuban authorities are working to restore the electrical system, but logistical difficulties and deteriorated infrastructure complicate the recovery process.
With the arrival of the fuel and equipment sent by Russia, it is expected that the Cuban government will be able to reinforce its efforts to restore the power supply and mitigate the impact of the prolonged blackouts on the daily lives of its citizens.
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Cuba could be much better off, but this bad government only thinks about them and tourism, and the people are dying of hunger, misery and repression and the whole world knows it.
Thank you very much President of the Russian Federation, Vladimir V. Putin for your help to our country, at this moment even the hospitals are hardly working, there is no water, no medicine, there is a lot of broken equipment, all thanks to the Bliqueo of the United States for many years. Thank you for your great help.
thank you for this help for all the people of cuba who agonize daily for lack of electricity.thanks for the help to the president of russia.
All our Cuban people will be very grateful for this great help from Russia to the Cubans to have electricity?
To the Russian president.
Thousands of thanks to Russia's president and his executive