Residents Demand Explanations from Electric Company Over Prolonged Blackouts and Unstable Voltage in Contramaestre, Santiago de Cuba

Residents of Contramaestre in Santiago de Cuba are voicing their frustrations over the dire state of the electric service, demanding accountability from the Electric Company. The community has been experiencing power outages lasting up to 40 hours, coupled with erratic voltage levels that have caused damage to household appliances.

This issue was brought to light on Friday through a Facebook post by content creator Arnoldo Fernández, which has since gathered numerous comments from residents across various circuits and localities in the province. These comments echo similar issues with the erratic power supply.

Many locals have expressed concerns about the conditions under which service is resumed following lengthy interruptions and the potential hazards this poses to their electrical appliances.

"How do families manage to purchase refrigerators, televisions, fans, air conditioners, and other appliances? Through years of hard work, sacrifices, and dedication. And now, must we also live in fear that these could be damaged due to the shortcomings of the electrical service?" questioned one resident.

Another resident noted that since May, they have been receiving merely two hours of electricity, which is often unstable, following blackouts that sometimes stretch to 40 hours. She also highlighted the challenges of resting and the impact on children who have to attend school with warm snacks.

In the city's circuit seven, a local reported having no electricity for 24 hours. Five minutes after the power was restored, one phase failed, leaving the remaining active phase operating at low voltage.

In Lumumba, a resident reported that one phase has been out for a week, leaving several homes in darkness. Attempts to report the issue have been unsuccessful since the customer service number, 18888, is not operational.

In Baire, locals complained that for the past four days, electricity has only been available after midnight, and the voltage is so low that it hampers restful sleep.

The unstable voltage has also resulted in damage to household goods, with one individual lamenting that his refrigerator was ruined and expressing frustration over the lack of someone to hold accountable. Others described having to cook over wood or charcoal, do laundry at night, and remain without lighting for much of the day.

"We are not asking for special treatment or luxuries. We are demanding a decent electrical service, transparent information, attention to complaints, and tangible measures to protect the population," concluded Fernández.

These issues coincide with the limited electricity generation capacity in the province. On Saturday, the only thermoelectric plant in Santiago de Cuba, the Antonio Maceo, had its units three and six out of service due to faults, and unit five was under maintenance, as reported by the Observatorio de Apagones.

Nationally, the Electric System had a capacity of just 915 MW while facing a demand exceeding 2,800 MW, with over 1,177 MW affected.

Contramaestre has witnessed spontaneous protests and pot-banging demonstrations in June and July over power outages lasting up to 40 hours. The discontent arose in a context where the Electric Company reorganized the cuts into nine residential blocks, with scheduled interruptions of up to 22 hours consecutively.

In May, the company's dispatch director admitted that the actual service ranged between one hour and 30 minutes to one hour and 45 minutes, falling short of the promised two hours.