This past weekend, the Electric Company of Cienfuegos shared a video on Facebook showcasing a group of locals—mainly women and girls—cheering and applauding linemen from the José González Guerra Contingent on the streets.
The post did not clarify the specific work these linemen accomplished in the area, although it is likely related to the installation or repair of a transformer.
The accompanying commentary on the video states, "Our linemen bring hope to communities. We hold great admiration and pride for a team dedicated to every assigned task."
The video, celebrating the Electric Company, has garnered over 10,700 views and sparked a flood of sarcastic comments, starkly contrasting with the state company's triumphant tone.
"Surely, after four hours, the joy faded, and they returned to 60 hours of punishment," one user quipped. Another was more blunt: "The medal for power outages." A third summed up the situation: "Misery, hunger, and lots of joy."
The sharpest irony came from those living through the crisis firsthand. "None of those cheerleaders live in circuit 3; we've been without power for over 24 hours," a local resident complained. Another asked bluntly, "What are they celebrating, that here in Cienfuegos blackouts last 50 or 60 hours and more?"
One resident seized the moment to issue a warning: "Come to circuit 2 and fix the transformer before it catches fire; all the oil has leaked out." Another captured the sentiment of many with a damning statement: "We've been hoping for 67 years."
There were some voices recognizing the workers' efforts, albeit with reservations: "I tip my hat to this group of linemen from our province. Congratulations to all. However, our leaders should focus on Cienfuegos, not just Havana; it's a disaster here."
Chronic Blackouts and a Transformer Crisis Without a Solution
Cienfuegos has been grappling with electrical system failures for months. At the end of July, a truck collided with the Vietnam Substation in Aguada de Pasajeros, leaving over 9,000 customers without service. The Carlos Manuel de Céspedes thermoelectric plant's Unit 4 has been offline multiple times this year.
The transformer crisis is another major issue, not just in this southern city but throughout Cuba. Energy and Mines Minister Vicente de la O Levy acknowledged before the National Assembly that some communities have been without electricity for up to 105 days due to transformer damage.
Regarding the theft of dielectric oil, the minister admitted, "The amount of oil stolen from us is almost equal to what we produce."
In Havana, an average of 25 single-phase transformers are damaged daily, with some days seeing over 60 units fail, and there are no available parts in the country for repairs.
Understanding Cienfuegos' Power Struggles
What caused the recent power outage in Cienfuegos?
The recent outage in Cienfuegos was caused by a truck collision at the Vietnam Substation in Aguada de Pasajeros, leaving over 9,000 customers without electricity.
Why are transformers a critical issue in Cuba?
The transformer crisis is critical due to frequent damage and a lack of available parts for repairs, leading to prolonged outages in various communities.
How has the government responded to the transformer crisis?
Energy and Mines Minister Vicente de la O Levy has acknowledged the severity of the transformer crisis and the theft of dielectric oil but has not provided a clear solution.