The national electric power system (SEN) was restored on Tuesday, October 22, and Cubans regained the "normality" of the service provided by the Electric Union (UNE), which consists of a deficient supply involving scheduled power outages.
After experiencing absolute chaos for nearly four days during which the SEN completely collapsed, the clients of the state-owned company still managed by Alfredo López Valdés have endured four consecutive days of partial blackouts.
Despite the deficit figures remaining similar to the already high levels reported before the national blackout, power outages are now seen as "bearable" by many Cubans who believed that the collapse of the national electricity grid was definitive and that the energy crisis on the Island was permanent.
For this Saturday, "it is estimated that during peak hours there will be an availability of 2,080 MW and a maximum demand of 2,980 MW, resulting in a deficit of 900 MW. Therefore, if the projected conditions persist, a shortfall of 970 MW is expected during this time."
If the previous day forecasted an impact of 946 MW, the UNE confirmed this Saturday that the maximum impact was 1,007 MW at 7:40 PM.
"The unit 3 of the Santa Cruz Thermoelectric Power Plant, unit 3 of the Cienfuegos Thermoelectric Power Plant, unit 6 of the Renté Thermoelectric Power Plant, and unit 2 of the Felton Thermoelectric Power Plant are currently out of service. Unit 2 of the Santa Cruz Thermoelectric Power Plant and unit 5 of the Renté Thermoelectric Power Plant are undergoing maintenance," added the UNE in their social media update.
In the comments section on Facebook, Cubans expressed their opinions this Saturday, reflecting the ongoing discontent stemming from the poor service they receive from UNE.
"We are continuity, normalizing the blackout to see how far Liborio can hold out," pointed out a user who is not convinced by the supposed "improvement" of the electricity service.
"This is never going to get better. The formal economy has collapsed, the infrastructure has collapsed, public services have collapsed. The collapse of the state is inevitable and is accelerating rapidly. Only a massive external intervention can revive the country. The electrical system is going to collapse again. It's just a matter of time. Get ready," warned another.
"We're back to 'normal': a daily deficit of 1,000 MW," concluded another Cuban ironically, highlighting the apathy that permeates among Cubans in the face of an energy crisis for which they cannot hold those in charge accountable.
What do you think?
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