Castro Promises Energy System Overhaul in Cuba

Castro Promises Energy System Overhaul in Cuba
By VOA News
18 January 2006

Cuban President Fidel Castro has announced the renovation of the island's
electricity system, an effort to put an end to energy blackouts that have
plagued Cubans for the past two years.
In a speech Tuesday, Mr. Castro said the nation's massive energy plants will
be replaced by smaller, regional ones and backed up by generators.
Cuba's energy problem reached crisis point in 2004 when a key electrical
plant broke down. Since then, Cubans have suffered sporadic blackouts, often
during the hottest months when demand for air conditioning is high. The
blackouts and power surges damage some appliances, leaving food to rot in
the summer heat.

Some information for this report was provided by AP and Reuters.
http://www.voanews.com/english/2006-01-18-voa76.cfm