By Nelson Acosta
Cuba has made significant progress in restoring power to areas affected by Tropical Storm Oscar, with emergency and grid workers working tirelessly to bring electricity back to the nation. Despite the challenges posed by the storm, Cuba has managed to stabilize the grid and restore power to a majority of the population.
After making landfall as a Category 1 hurricane near Baracoa, Oscar caused widespread damage in eastern Cuba, leading to power outages, mudslides, and flooding. The small town of San Antonio del Sur was hit particularly hard, with six fatalities reported due to a violent flash flood.
Efforts to restore power have been hampered by blocked roads and raging rivers in Guantanamo, but Cuban authorities have successfully stabilized the grid and restored electricity to 70% of the country. Additional power plants are expected to come online soon, further increasing the coverage.
In Havana, where the impact of Oscar was less severe, 90% of clients have had their power restored by midday on Tuesday. The country’s outdated oil-fired power plants have been struggling to keep up with demand, exacerbated by dwindling oil imports from Venezuela, Russia, and Mexico.
Overall, the situation in Cuba is gradually improving as power is restored to more areas. The resilience of the Cuban people and the efforts of emergency workers have been instrumental in overcoming the challenges posed by Tropical Storm Oscar.
Analysis: Despite the devastation caused by Tropical Storm Oscar, Cuba has managed to make significant strides in restoring power to affected areas. The restoration of electricity is crucial for the country’s recovery efforts and the well-being of its citizens. Investors should keep an eye on the situation in Cuba as it continues to rebuild and recover from the impact of the storm.