The Guantánamo Electric Company revealed on Sunday that residents of the province will endure a mere two hours of electricity daily due to Cuba's worsening energy crisis.
This drastic measure implies that consumers may experience up to 22 hours without power each day, highlighting the extreme limitations on the electrical supply.
In a Facebook statement, the state-run entity acknowledged the energy limitations that prevent them from providing more than the announced service periods.
"Due to the challenging energy situation the country is facing, there are also limitations in the province, which will impact the service to customers, allowing for no more than two hours of service a day," the statement read.
The company further emphasized the extent of the restriction: "Electric service will be offered in a limited manner, ensuring around two hours of daily supply per customer."
This announcement signifies an exceptional reduction in electricity access. If the supply indeed remains capped at two hours within a 24-hour day, residents would be without service for roughly 92% of the time.
Practically speaking, this brief window forces families to concentrate essential activities such as cooking with electric devices, pumping water, charging phones and portable batteries, and using fans and other appliances.
For those lacking generators, solar systems, or backup power stations, these restrictions can make even basic tasks challenging, like keeping food refrigerated and operating essential household equipment.
The statement did not specify the times during which the two-hour electricity supply would be available, nor did it provide a detailed schedule by circuits or municipalities.
It also failed to clarify how long these measures would last, whether there would be exceptions for certain consumers, or what conditions might allow for an extension of supply time.
The Electric Company concluded its communication by urging residents to stay informed through their official channels, without providing an estimated date for service normalization.
The situation in Guantánamo aligns with an increase in blackouts across other Cuban provinces, where electric companies have admitted difficulties in maintaining regular service rotation schedules.
In Holguín, the Electric Company announced on Saturday the suspension of the circuit rotation every 12 hours in the city, due to limitations in the National Electric Power System (SEN).
This decision excluded numerous consumers from the usual schedule, while exceptions remained for circuits linked to the Lenin Hospital.
The entity indicated that rotation would resume once national system generation conditions improved, but did not provide a specific date.
The announcement sparked criticism and disbelief among residents. "What rotation?" asked one online user, while others claimed that power outages had already far exceeded the established periods.
Matanzas is experiencing a similarly dire situation. A report documented nearly 70 consecutive hours of blackouts in the towns of Manuelito and Bolondrón, while several circuits in the province exceeded 40, 50, and 60 hours without electricity.
The director of the Matanzas Electric Company, Alejandro Rodríguez Aspeitía, acknowledged that the provincial impact exceeded 130 megawatts, necessitating prioritization of circuits with the longest service interruptions.
The crisis in this area also presents technical complications. According to authorities, some circuits disconnect again when attempting to restore electricity, requiring crews to perform maneuvers directly at the facilities.
The severity of the blackouts has led citizens to seek alternatives to support their communities.
In Cárdenas, Matanzas, a Cuban woman offered her home free of charge for neighbors to charge essential electric devices, including fans, rechargeable bulbs, lamps, and EcoFlow power stations.
Yesenia Peña Godoy shared her offer in a local Facebook group, inviting anyone in need of electricity to come to her home "at no cost."
"It will be a pleasure to help you," she stated, receiving numerous messages of gratitude and inspiring another neighbor to also offer her apartment for charging devices.
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Understanding Cuba's Energy Crisis
What is causing the electricity shortage in Guantánamo?
The electricity shortage in Guantánamo is attributed to Cuba's severe energy crisis, limiting the supply to only two hours per day.
How are residents coping with the limited electricity supply?
Residents are forced to concentrate essential activities during the brief electricity supply period, while some community members offer their homes for charging essential devices.
Are there any exceptions to the electricity restrictions?
The announcement did not specify exceptions for certain consumers or any conditions that might extend the supply time.