"Only 3 hours of light and 21 hours of blackout": The new reality in Santiago de Cuba

The population of Santiago de Cuba will face a harsh reality until the end of October: only three hours of electricity per day and 21 hours of blackout, with days of complete service absence, according to information from the Electric Company in the eastern territory.

In a statement on Facebook, the entity reported that, in response to the current energy crisis, nine blocks have been created grouping all the circuits of the province, and each will receive only three hours of electricity per day.

In addition, he shared a table showing the daily rotation of the electricity supply, indicating that each day one of the blocks will be without service, which will mean a blackout of 24 hours for its residents.

Finally, the Electric Company clarified that "the circuits not included in the information will maintain electric service, specifically circuits 15 and 18 (circuits located within hospital institutions) and circuit 22 to ensure the supply of gas to the population."

In the early hours of Monday, electrical service was restored to the entire western system, from Pinar del Río to part of Matanzas.

Journalist Lázaro Manuel Alonso reported on Facebook that as of Tuesday morning, only nine percent of the province of Santiago de Cuba had electricity service.

"With the link between Felton and Renté, the electricity coverage in Santiago de Cuba, which is only 9% this morning, will be raised. Also in Granma and Guantánamo," emphasized the official journalist, highlighting that eastern Cuba is facing the worst situation following the collapse of the National Electric System last Friday.

In addition, he mentioned that in the morning he synchronized unit number one of the Lidio Ramón Pérez Thermoelectric Power Plant, better known as "Felton," and "the purpose is to connect it with Renté (Antonio Maceo Thermoelectric Power Plant) in the morning, to strengthen the eastern system."

He also said that currently four engines "from Moa are already generating and during the day others could start up to increase coverage in the east."

Finally, he explained that unit four in Cienfuegos "is already starting up and they hope to synchronize it during the night."

He added that, if done, "the system could be linked from west to east, as that unit regulates the frequency of the system."

The Ministry of Energy and Mines indicated that in the report from the Electric Union at 6:00 am (local time), 70.89% of customers in Cuba already had electric service.

"Today, the strengthening of the established systems and the expansion of electrical coverage in the country continues," they added on X.