A site once piled with waste near the Meat Company in the main municipality of Guantánamo has been transformed into a community charging and service center. Officially opened on Tuesday, it stands as the third of its kind in the city and the first in the province managed by a state-run entity.
The facility, overseen by the Supply and Services Company for Education, serves residents of the Sur Isleta Popular Council. The pro-government Facebook page "Mi Guantánamo," associated with the Municipal Assembly of People's Power, reported the development.
The opening ceremony, timed to coincide with the start of the 2026-2027 school year, was attended by Yoel Pérez García, the first secretary of the Communist Party of Cuba in the province.
Energy Independence and Services Offered
This center prides itself on energy autonomy, supported by 15 kiloWatts (kW) of solar panel capacity and 12 kW stored in inverters. "The operation of this facility relies on renewable energy sources, ensuring energy self-sufficiency," explained Yeannis Cordero, deputy mayor overseeing services for the main municipality.
Services offered include kits for rice and pressure cookers, refrigerators, and facilities for charging phones, laptops, tablets, electric fans, mopeds, tricycles, and e-bikes, with plans to expand these offerings, according to the state-run newspaper Venceremos.
Community Impact and Expansion Plans
Residents had already experienced the center's benefits before its official opening. During a recent national power grid outage, the center was operational, providing much-needed relief.
Unlike the previous two centers in the provincial capital operated by private microenterprises, this new center is a shift towards state management.
The first charging center opened on July 25 at the intersection of Crombet and Martí, run by the private firm Sabor Auténtico, and the second launched on August 12 in the San Justo Popular Council.
This new hub is part of a rapidly growing provincial network. Guantánamo plans to establish approximately 30 community charging centers across the province, with six already functioning in the municipalities of Maisí, Imías, and Guantánamo.
Addressing Energy Challenges in Guantánamo
Popularly termed "solineras," these facilities emerged as a decentralized response to the severe energy crisis affecting Guantánamo, which relies on a single 110 kV transmission line from Santiago de Cuba. Back in June, an incident on this line left the entire province without power, with some areas suffering outages up to 33 consecutive hours.
The provincial investment for these charging stations in Guantánamo's capital is around 25 million pesos, a collaboration between state companies and private microenterprises.
FAQs on Guantánamo's New Charging Centers
What is the purpose of the new charging hub in Guantánamo?
The new charging hub in Guantánamo serves as a community resource for charging devices and accessing essential services, while also helping to alleviate the province's energy challenges through renewable energy solutions.
How is the new center powered?
The center operates independently using renewable energy, with 15 kiloWatts of solar panel capacity and 12 kW stored in inverters, ensuring continuous service even during power outages.
Who manages the new center in Guantánamo?
The center is managed by the state-run Supply and Services Company for Education, marking a shift from previous centers that were operated by private microenterprises.