The Electric Company of Villa Clara revealed plans to initiate an overnight electricity distribution system starting November 5th. This new rotation schedule will allocate a six-hour service block every 10 days for each circuit grouping.
The state-owned company announced that the province would be segmented into 10 groups that will receive electricity in a rotating manner between midnight and 6:00 a.m., provided the National Electric System (SEN) can support it.
José Antonio Padrón Solanes, the head of operations for the Provincial Load Dispatch, clarified that circuits or municipalities receiving electricity on November 5th will have their next scheduled slot on the 15th and 25th.
The 10-day rotation scheme allows residents to anticipate when they'll receive service overnight, though actual delivery depends on electricity availability.
Circuits supplying hospitals, water facilities, and other critical services will not be part of this rotation and will receive special consideration.
Service Disruptions: No Compensation for Lost Hours
The company cautioned that scheduling does not guarantee uninterrupted supply for the planned six-hour period.
"In the event of breakdowns, generation shortfalls, or other contingencies preventing adherence to the schedule, lost service time will not be compensated," the company stated.
This implies that if a circuit misses its scheduled supply due to generation issues or a fault, the lost hours will not be made up within the announced rotation.
This measure applies solely to nighttime distribution and does not set a fixed schedule for electricity during daytime hours.
The company justified the new arrangement by citing cooler autumn temperatures, which could lower consumption and allow for more equitable distribution of available electricity.
Public Reaction: "We’ll Sleep Three Days a Month"
The announcement sparked widespread reactions from locals who questioned a plan allowing for electricity roughly three nights per month, contingent upon generation capacity.
"So you're telling me we’ll sleep three days a month if conditions allow," one Facebook user quipped.
Another resident echoed this sentiment with sarcasm: "What a great achievement... such a wonder... so we’ll sleep three times a month, if conditions permit," while pointing out that 24-hour electricity should be the norm.
Concerns about rearranging household chores and sleep schedules were frequently mentioned. "So we have to change our life schedule. Cook, wash... at night and sleep during the day. And workplaces too," a resident pondered.
Others criticized the lack of information about daytime electricity distribution, crucial for meal preparation and daily activities. "And how will they rotate it during the day?" an internet user inquired.
There were also calls for the company to disclose the composition of the 10 blocks and provide accessible updates for the public.
"Please don’t publish on Telegram, the connection isn’t good enough to open Telegram or Facebook. Publish on WhatsApp," a user requested.
Despite the criticisms and doubts about the program’s feasibility, some residents saw the need for a more predictable distribution.
"For now, I’ll give them the benefit of the doubt and hope they follow through with what’s promised because we all need it," commented a resident.
The announcement comes as Villa Clara continues grappling with severe power outages. The province recently experienced a failure in a 110-kilovolt line that left much of the city of Santa Clara without electricity.
The Electric Company stated that it would publish the circuits and municipalities included in the nighttime schedule each morning via its official Telegram channel.
Understanding Villa Clara's New Electricity Schedule
How often will each group receive electricity under the new system?
Each group will receive electricity for a six-hour period every 10 days, according to the new rotation schedule.
What happens if a scheduled electricity supply is missed?
If a scheduled supply is missed due to generation issues or faults, the lost hours will not be compensated within the rotation.
Are essential services included in the rotation?
No, circuits supplying essential services like hospitals and water facilities are excluded from the rotation and will receive special consideration.