Cuba declares blackouts over

Cuba declares blackouts over
From correspondents in Havana
13jun06

CUBA has declared an end to the daily blackouts that have wreaked havoc
on peoples' lives and the economy since the collapse of
former-benefactor the Soviet Union in 1991.

In the latest sign Cuba is recovering from a long economic crisis, Basic
Industry Minister Yadira Garcia told parliament on Sunday a $US1-billion
program to link hundreds of large generators to the energy grid meant
there was 1000 megawatts more power available for the summer when demand
peaks.

"In less than eight months conditions have been created that guarantee
that there will be no blackouts in our country due to a lack of
generating capacity," the minister said in her report published by the
official media today.

An end to the blackouts would provide a clear signal to Cubans that the
worst of the long crisis is behind them.

During the sweltering months of May through August, residents of this
tropical communist island turn on fans and air-conditioners and
vacationing students watch television and play music.

Last summer, long daily blackouts ruined vacations as Cubans fought
mosquitoes in the heat and darkness, young people went without
entertainment, and water wasn't pumped.

Minor outbreaks of discontent were reported across the country.

So far this year there have been few if any blackouts.

"Last year, between the darkness, the heat, the mosquitoes and the kids
without television, homes became hell," said retiree Pedro Arias in a
telephone interview from easternmost Guantanamo province.

"This year, matters are very different. I do not even remember when the
last blackout was, and I don't want to ever," he said.

Generously financed Venezuelan oil from Castro ally President Hugo
Chavez, a $US2-billion increase in revenues from service exports mainly
to the South American country, and cheap Chinese credits have allowed
Cuba to begin emerging from the crisis.

President Fidel Castro has taken personal responsibility for what he
calls an "energy revolution" that involves the unique use of the
generators, an overhaul of the energy grid and the replacement of
millions of old home appliances with more efficient Chinese products.

The island's seven aging oil-fired power plants can generate about 2700
megawatts, but operate at only 60 per cent of capacity due to breakdowns
and maintenance halts.

For over a decade, the plants have run on locally produced high-sulfur
oil that clogs and damages the equipment.

For the past five years a lack of capacity has forced the country to
close about 200 factories and adopt other emergency measures in the summer.

"A stable power supply will allow steel mills, cement plants and other
factories to operate without interruption, pushing forward recovery and
helping to pay our investment," said a Cuban economist, who asked his
name not be used.

Despite the government announcement, an employee of the US diplomatic
mission in Havana said the building has been without electricity for a
week, in what may be the start of a new crisis in always tense relations
between the two countries.

"Sunday marked a week since we have had electricity. We are using a
generator," the employee said, asking that his name not be used.

He said the State Department was expected to issue a statement later in
the day.

US diplomats and Cuban officials were not immediately available for comment.

Diplomatic relations were broken off soon after Cuba's 1959 revolution
and US sanctions were slapped on the Communist country. Interests
Sections were established to handle consular and other activities in
Washington and Havana in the late 1970s.

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