Concern over increase in electricity rates in Cuba

Residents in the province of Sancti Spíritus have expressed concern about an increase in the electricity rate during the months of July and August.

According to what was reported in the local newspaperEscambray Several Cubans have noticed a considerable increase in their bill in the summer months and question whether the accounts are correct or whether they were charged more than what was consumed.

However, Darío Peña Cuenca, commercial director of the Sancti Spíritus Electric Company (EESS), justified the increase with an increase in electricity consumption "depending on temperature."

In his opinion, the electricity rate for the residential sector in Cuba has not changed during 2023, the average price is the same as the previous year, but the bill amounts are higher because "there has been an unprecedented phenomenon and it has grown per capita consumption per home in the entire territory of Sancti Spiritus".

Although the manager acknowledged that there may be errors in the readings of the electricity consumption meters in homes, he blamed the high consumption on the Cubans and the use of household appliances.

"One of the fundamental loads that buildings have are the air conditioning and refrigeration equipment, both associated with temperature. As this increases, so does the amount of time that the fans and air conditioners are used, and in "In the case of the latter, when the degrees rise in the outdoor space, their operating regime is much higher to maintain the desired freshness inside the property from the outside heat and this makes the total connection time of the equipment longer." , said.

However, he clarified that the consumer has the right to complain if the reading and the account do not correspond to their records.

In that case, he indicated, when the person receives their consumption notice on the first days of the month, they have 10 business days to pay or make their claim.

In the middle of a increase in blackoutsdue to the instability of the National Electroenergy System and a greaterelectricity theft monitoring, many Cubans have complained about the increase in their rates in various parts of Cuba.

In July, a Cuban activist denounced asurprising and alarming increaseon the electricity bill of his home, questioning the management and collections by the only electricity company in Cuba.

In his house he always paid around 100 pesos for electricity, however, after the death of his grandmother and the decrease in the use of appliances, the monthly consumption dropped about 16 pesos, which was completely understandable given that he was not there. at home and only some outside lights and the refrigerator were kept on.

However, their last consumption had been 563 pesos, a disproportionate increase compared to the average that the home used to have.