The "Energy Revolution" Is Also a Failure in Cuba

The "Energy Revolution" Is Also a Failure in Cuba

Several years ago, the beginning of the "Energy Revolution" was
proclaimed. The official media announced the immediate distribution of
pressure cookers that, despite requiring electricity, would reduce the
national consumption of petroleum. State industry began to produce the
necessary rubber gaskets for the lids which, until then, were made
solely by private producers and sold in informal markets at abusive prices.

With the meticulous precision of a military operation, dozens of trucks
took to the streets to distribute the new equipment. "Buy now, pay
later" was the slogan, which didn't manage to silence the skeptics who
asked how we were going to get, without great difficulty, the food to
put in the new technology. However, it was a time of widespread hope
which, like love, seemed to be entering the kitchen.

It happened just as with previous projects: at first the distribution
went well, but over the months the pots didn't make it into all the
homes, nor were they well received everywhere. In some areas where they
were sold the liquefied natural gas service was immediately terminated
and electric power outages occurred at the most inopportune moments. On
the other hand, something happened that enthusiasts had not been able to
foresee; there were people who could not afford these appliances. Even
today you can see the lists of defaulters, placed in public view, in the
same markets where the sophisticated pans were marketed.

These pots, which were the latest objects of worship of a paternalistic
government, are no longer sold and the same thing happened with the
rubber gaskets; today, once again, they are offered by alternative
artisans in the street at whatever price they care to demand.

*Meanwhile, I am pleased to report that I have regained my capacity to
walk on both legs, abandoned the crutch and returned to the themes of my
daily life. My thanks to all of you who offered your hands in
solidarity, the balm of support and the effective medicine of your
friendship. Here and here are links to a brief story about what happened
on that Friday, November 6.

Yoani's blog, Generation Y, can be read here in English translation.

Yoani Sanchez: The "Energy Revolution" Is Also a Failure in Cuba (16
November 2009)
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/yoani-sanchez/the-energy-revolution-is_b_358400.html