In Cuba, four provinces are still not connected to the nation's power grid, with three of them under cyclonic alert due to the impending approach of Hurricane Oscar. The areas of Guantánamo, Santiago de Cuba, Granma, and Pinar del Río remain without electricity, as highlighted in a graphic shared by the state-run media outlet Cubadebate.
As of 1 PM on Sunday, regions from Mariel to Holguín were reconnected to the National Electric System, thanks to the reactivation of the Antonio Guiteras Thermoelectric Plant and one turbine from Energás Boca de Jaruco, alongside two floating power stations in Havana, according to a statement from the Electric Company on Facebook.
In Santiago de Cuba, after an optimistic announcement regarding the restart of the No. 3 generation block at the CTE Antonio Maceo, also known as Rente, the situation took an unexpected turn. A malfunction in the unit caused a system collapse, leading to the failure of a microsystem affecting Santiago de Cuba and Guantánamo, leaving them in the dark.
Efforts to Stabilize the Power Network
Despite the setback, the entity assured that "the electrical grid is more intact and reliable at this moment," although many Cuban families have been left without electricity for up to 72 hours. In Havana, the nation's capital, reports indicate that over 216,000 customers across 67 circuits have power.
Meanwhile, other provinces are seeking alternative solutions to combat the ongoing electrical crisis that has persisted for years due to the lack of investment in thermoelectric units. The looming threat of Hurricane Oscar, a Category 1 storm on the Saffir-Simpson scale, exacerbates the situation in eastern Cuba.
Preparing for Hurricane Oscar's Impact
The Cuban Civil Defense has issued a statement warning that rainfall could total between 100 and 200 millimeters in the next 24 hours, and wind speeds are expected to increase gradually. Oscar is projected to make landfall in the provinces of Holguín and Guantánamo, prompting authorities to remain cautious about potential improvements in the power service.