Ramiro Valdés asks families to save amid the energy crisis in Cuba.

The Cuban commander Ramiro Valdés called on Cuban families to save electricity amid the serious energy crisis affecting the country.

Participating in a session of the National Energy Council, based at the Electric Union (UNE), Valdés sent a message to families to "make rational use of energy wherever they are."

The Cuban regime supported the commander's request on the social network X, where he posted that "just by turning off an unnecessary light, we could help a lot to alleviate the burden weighing on Cuba's shoulders, a country that is doing everything possible to overcome the current situation, for the well-being of the people."

While the authorities had promised to minimize power outages during the summer, at this point they are still reporting disruptions in more than half of the country daily, and have already acknowledged that it would not be possible to fulfill the promise of zero power outages under the current conditions.

The Electric Union (UNE) of Cuba published a disheartening report this Tuesday warning of power outages that could reach as high as 1,440 MW during peak hours, out of a demand of just over 3,000 MW. This figure does not improve much during the day, as disruptions of around 950 MW are anticipated.

Last week, the director of UNE, Alfredo López Valdés, recommended that "those who have a split unit can use it rationally," at "24 degrees and in a sealed room," to "support the country."

According to López Valdés, he is not "blaming the people" for the increase in demand, but he reiterated that "saving is one of the most important resources that Cuba still has."

These statements arise in the midst of a critical situation in the national electricity system, where the lack of fuel has been compounded by the stoppage of several generating units due to "breakdowns or maintenance", resulting in power outages of up to 20 hours in several areas of the country.

The energy crisis keeps the people in a perpetual burden as power outages are reported around the clock. Leader Miguel Díaz-Canel had to admit that the electricity cuts in recent days have been "terrible".