The province of Pinar del Río, although spared the direct impact of Hurricane Rafael, continues to suffer severe repercussions from the storm's passage through Cuba and remains disconnected from the National Electric Grid, as reported by authorities. Despite multiple efforts to reconnect the western territory, all attempts have been unsuccessful, according to the local news outlet Tele Pinar.
Currently, four teams of electrical workers are striving to establish a connection in this region, which, despite challenging conditions, resumed the school year on Monday. "They will cover approximately 50 kilometers in intensive work sessions to locate and fix the fault preventing electricity from reaching the westernmost province of the country," stated Yosvany Torres, the chief specialist in the Technical Direction of the OBE Pinar del Río, as quoted by the media.
Limited Power and Calls for Conservation
Meanwhile, the government has urged the few residents who do have electricity to practice strict energy conservation. "Since last Wednesday, Pinar del Río has been powered by isolated micro-systems (islands), which become unstable with overconsumption, affecting the optimal operation of essential sites such as hospitals and water supply stations for the population," it was stated in a social media post.
Independent journalist and dissident José Rolando Casares Soto reported that the city is mostly shrouded in darkness, apart from select areas like the facilities of the Empresa de Telecomunicaciones de Cuba S. A. (ETECSA) and the area known as Reparto Los Militares, which retain power while the rest of the residents grapple with the blackout and its impacts.
Heightened Tensions Amidst Blackouts
In addition to the energy shortages, the journalist noted a significant police presence on the streets of Pinar del Río, further heightening tensions in the city, as highlighted in a publication by the non-governmental organization Cubalex.
The issue of blackouts is not new in Cuba, yet their frequency and severity have reached unprecedented levels in recent months. The Unión Eléctrica de Cuba has conceded that the "disruptions" in service are due to both fuel shortages and electrical infrastructure failures, compounded by the recent natural disasters that have plagued the nation.