Shock in Havana due to worsening of blackouts and savings measures

The news came Tuesday night like a bombshell.The Central Termoéléctrica (CTE) Antonio Guiteras would be disconnected from the national electricity system from Wednesday February 28 for 17 days to complete maintenance tasks.

Messages and informative notes were constantly forwarded from one cell phone to another. Family and friends from other countries asked if what was already being said thousands of miles away was true. Yes, even more bitter days would come due to the departure of the most important power plant in the West from the electrical generation system. Sadness and worry darkened the faces of those most seasoned in these years of deprivation and difficulties.

Along with the “operational” news, two figures hated by the Cuban people returned: the contingency measures plan and the planning of hourly and municipal blackouts; a kind of Russian roulette in which no one wants to be included so as not to realize that they are getting the bullet mounted on the drum.

The authorities decided to implement contingency regime no. 1 that focuses on extreme savings measures during peak consumption times, known as peaks. Thus, the use of administrative air conditioners is prohibited at all times, turning off everything in the work centers during established hours, except those of continuous production. Paralyze work activities and promote teleworking or remote work.

It was also indicated to limit lighting as much as possible in hallways, stairs and common areas in work centers. Prohibit the use of electric ovens during the peak or carry out water pumping in the state sector.

As if this were not enough, Wednesday dawned with the planning of blackouts from 8 in the morning until 4 in the afternoon in areas belonging to ten of the most populated municipalities in the Cuban capital.

There will be a lack of electricity for eight hours in the surroundings of San Luis and Luz streets, in the 10 de Octubre municipality; in the cast Frank País, from Arroyo Naranjo; in the Aldabó, Mazorra, Panamericana and Abel Santamaría districts of the Boyeros municipality; throughout the industrial zone of Berroa, in Eastern Havana; in the districts of Alberro, Santa María del Rosario and the road from Santa María to Alberro, in Cotorro.

The surroundings of Adriano, Maceo, Perdomo and Diez de Octubre streets, in the ultramarine municipality of Regla, as well as the Alturas de la Coronela and Ampliación de Arroyo Arenas districts, belonging to La Lisa, will also not have electricity. The Buena Vista and Siboney neighborhoods, in Playa and the surrounding areas of Camagüey, Avenida Boyeros and La Guayaba streets, in El Cerro will join the California and Jacomino neighborhoods in San Miguel del Padrón.

Immediately, as a way to cushion the impact, the Cuban Electrical Union goes ahead to justify that “these measures, among others, are vital to reduce demand and mitigate the effects on the population,” so it will be “extremely necessary.” demand compliance, carry out analysis and adopt drastic measures with non-compliant parties, both political and administrative.”