Avellon Williams
Port-au-Prince, Haiti- Haiti’s largest hydropower facility, the Peligre plant, has been forced to cease operations following a dramatic protest by citizens demanding equitable access to electricity. This development exacerbates the already critical energy crisis in the country, highlighting the deepening struggles for power distribution in the war-torn nation.
On Monday, protestors stormed the Peligre plant, which is responsible for nearly all of Haiti’s hydroelectric power supply, demanding that electricity be distributed more fairly across the country rather than being prioritized for the capital city, Port-au-Prince. The unrest underscores the growing frustration among residents outside the capital, who have long felt neglected in terms of energy access.
Electricité d’Haïti (EDH), the national power company, confirmed the shutdown of the plant, which has a capacity of 54 megawatts (MW). This facility is a crucial component of Haiti’s energy infrastructure, second only to fossil fuels in terms of electricity generation. The shutdown has left many residents reliant on expensive diesel generators or solar batteries, options that are unaffordable for the poorest citizens.
The situation is further complicated by the damage to two of the plant’s transformers, which EDH reports as irreparable. The ongoing violence and control exerted by armed gangs in and around Port-au-Prince have made it nearly impossible to bring in technical assistance, isolating the capital from the rest of the country.
This isolation has not only disrupted energy supplies but also the delivery of essential goods like food and medicine, worsening the humanitarian crisis.
Haiti is currently facing a dire humanitarian situation, with nearly 580,000 people displaced internally and close to 5 million experiencing severe hunger. The shutdown of the Peligre plant is a stark reminder of the challenges the nation faces in securing a stable and fair energy supply amidst political instability and social unrest.
RELATED:
