In San Nicolas de Bari, located about 60 km (37 miles) northwest of Havana, Maria Elena Veiga, a 60-year-old Cuban housewife, has turned to using charcoal as the primary cooking fuel due to frequent power outages plaguing the island's failing power grid.
"We have opted to cook with charcoal because otherwise we would struggle to have a meal," Veiga stated, reflecting the daily challenges faced by residents in the area.
Power cuts have become a common occurrence across Cuba, with some regions experiencing electricity shortages for more than 20 hours a day, particularly in communities distant from the capital city.
Describing the situation, Veiga remarked, "The day is difficult; we lack power, and gas is hard to come by."
Cuba's energy woes stem from a combination of fuel shortages and outdated thermoelectric plants, leaving the power infrastructure highly vulnerable. The inactivity of many oil-fired plants and fuel scarcities have hampered the ability of diesel generators to support the national grid effectively.
Recent network failures at the end of the previous year plunged the nation of approximately 10 million inhabitants into total darkness.
"The electricity supply is very unreliable. There are days when we go without power for the entire day," shared 72-year-old Mirella Martinez, while preparing a pot of beans on a small charcoal stove.
Cubans are grappling with erratic electricity access and constraints on using household appliances. Consequently, the government has instated emergency measures, such as shutting down schools for two days and advising non-essential workers to stay home to reduce energy consumption.
Cuba attributes its power grid challenges to the U.S. trade embargo, which hinders the acquisition of fuel and replacement parts for the antiquated power plants.