Amidst a severe energy crisis, the province of Matanzas faces dire conditions with electricity limited to just one hour per day. Recent announcements from the Matanzas Electric Company, shared via their Telegram channel, reveal that the power generation deficit has reached critical levels, prompting authorities to enforce increasingly stringent supply rotations.
The state-run company stated, "We remind residents that we are providing one hour of electricity to circuits that have been most affected, and this will be repeated every hour, ensuring each area receives at least an hour of service, until system conditions improve."
Efforts to Equitably Distribute Power Fall Short
The approach of reducing electricity availability aims to distribute the scarce energy resources "equitably," yet it remains inadequate to meet the basic needs of residents. Since early November, the National Electric System (SEN) has reported a persistent deficit exceeding 1,300 MW on several occasions, impacting major thermoelectric plants already operating under significant constraints.
The Electric Union (UNE) has indicated that several units are out of service due to maintenance and breakdowns, leaving numerous provinces, particularly in the central-eastern region, experiencing prolonged blackouts.
A Widespread Electrical Collapse
The measures in Matanzas are merely a reflection of a widespread collapse affecting the entirety of Cuba, where blackouts now exceed 20 hours in certain areas. With little hope for short-term improvement, Cuba's electrical crisis continues to deepen, impacting daily life and the economy, with citizens expressing growing frustration and desperation over the lack of viable solutions from the authorities.
Prolonged Outages Amid Hurricane Threat
In addition to the usual electricity supply issues, Matanzas residents have endured power outages of up to 14 hours daily amidst a hurricane alert, further exacerbating their plight. The impending threat of Hurricane Rafael has raised alarms, especially among those who recall the devastating impact of Hurricane Oscar in Guantánamo.
During that event, extended blackouts hindered proper emergency preparedness and response, contributing to loss of life and widespread disaster in the most affected communities. The people of Matanzas fear a similar scenario could unfold with Rafael, demanding immediate solutions and more effective management of the electrical system.
The combination of power shortages and a potentially destructive meteorological event has left the population in an extremely vulnerable state, questioning the authorities' ability to protect them from a forewarned catastrophe.