Havana, March 23 The fuel shortages suffered in Havana and other Cuban communities in recent days are due to increased demand due to power supply problems, official media reported this Wednesday. In recent days, long lines of vehicles have formed in front of gas stations and fuel rationing has begun in the Cuban capital and other communities, raising concerns among the population. The Granma newspaper, citing a statement from the state fuel marketing company Cupet, pointed out that the distribution of diesel and petrol to service centers (petrol stations) “has been affected in recent days, partly due to increased demand”. He linked this rise to the unexpected shutdown of Antonio Guiteras’ thermoelectric power plant, the country’s largest, following a breakdown last week. This led to an increased use of generator sets that require diesel fuel. For its part, Canal Habana touched on this point on its Facebook page, citing a “deficit in electricity production after Antonio Guiteras’ thermoelectric power plant left the electrical system. The thermoelectric power plant in the province of Matanzas (east) left the national grid last Thursday and returned to service on Tuesday evening after a series of repairs and tests. The official newspaper Girón from Matanzas reported this Sunday on fuel rationing in this province. The newspaper also reported testimonies from a regional official who claimed that a third of the tankers operated by Transcupet the state fuel distribution company were not operational. Cupet’s statement ensures that both that company and Transcupet are “working to minimize the impact and maintain supply to service centers.” The company assures that, despite the global crisis, rising oil prices, the country’s financial difficulties and the tightening of US sanctions, it will continue to “make enormous efforts to ensure the usual supply”. the official regional newspaper Tribuna de La Habana, “has the attention of the highest political and governmental authorities both in the country and in the capital”.
