The Electric Company of Havana announced the start of the Domestic Electric Plant Census, a process that will take place at the commercial offices in each area of the city.
The objective, according to official information, is to account for the emergency equipment installed in households in Havana amid the severe energy crisis facing the country.
However, many citizens suspect that the true goal is to exert greater control over the population, rather than focusing on effectively addressing the situation.
The company requires those who own electric plants to present their identity card and the customer ID (which can be found on the electricity service payment receipt).
Additionally, they must provide specific information about the equipment: brand, power, serial number, and type of fuel it uses.
Each user will be provided with a receipt containing the information provided.
Once registered, the individual must wait at least seven days to check their status in the virtual queue via Ticket, a subscription-based platform for purchasing fuel.
Once they are finally notified, they must go to the authorized service centers to receive 20 liters of gasoline, after payment "using various alternative methods," the note states.
The news, shared on , sparked a multitude of criticisms.
"Are these plants provided by the ration book that they are collecting data on? It's a lack of respect, that's what it is," stated an emigrant.
"Which store in Cuba was it that you all received them from so that you can keep track of them?" a young mother chimed in.
"The Cuban people never needed power plants; you have forced the population to seek alternatives, and now you also want to control them. What you need to do is solve the problems (...). You provide me with the service, I use what I need, and I pay you for it," said a worker from ICAIC.
"What they want to know is how many houses in Cuba have systems to sustain themselves so they can cut off the electricity for longer. Well, they were left empty-handed with that idea," remarked a woman from Havana.
The census is being conducted in the context of an energy crisis worsened by blackouts exceeding 1,500 MW of daily impact, according to the report from the Electric Union this Tuesday.
The situation, which has been ongoing for several years, has forced the government to accept that the population buy and use generators as an alternative.
Resolution 28 of 2025 from the Minister of Finance and Prices extended until April 30 of this year the authorization to import electric generators for non-commercial use with a power output exceeding 900 watts.
The measure is considered "exceptional" and aims to provide partial relief to the population in light of the ongoing lack of electricity supply.
This authorization was initially established in the Resolution 218 of 2022, which allowed the importation of these equipment until December 31 of that year. Due to the ongoing energy crisis, the permit has been extended several times.
Risks and warnings
The need to use electric generators has brought significant risks.
In August, a tragic incident in the municipality of Amancio, Las Tunas, resulted in the deaths of a man and his two-year-old daughter due to carbon monoxide inhalation. The event highlighted the importance of operating generators exclusively outdoors and away from inhabited areas.
Despite these warnings, the use of electric generators continues to increase, driven by the desperation of Cubans facing prolonged blackouts.
The regime insists on the importance of following security recommendations to prevent tragedies, but it does not provide solutions.
Frequently Asked Questions about the Electric Plant Census in Havana
What is the purpose of the census of electric plants in Havana?
The census of power plants in Havana, according to official information, aims to count the emergency equipment installed in Havana households amidst the severe energy crisis the country is facing. However, there is significant mistrust among the population, who suspect that the true objective is to exert greater control over the citizens.
What requirements must citizens who own power generators meet?
Citizens who own electrical generators must present their identity card and the customer ID (available on the electricity service payment receipt) and provide specific information about the equipment, such as the brand, power, serial number, and type of fuel it uses.
How will the fuel supply for the registered power plants be managed?
Once registered in the census, citizens must wait at least seven days to check their status in the virtual queue through Ticket, a subscription-based platform for purchasing fuel. Once notified, they should go to the designated service centers to receive 20 liters of gasoline, after making payment through various alternative methods.
Why do Cubans distrust the census of power plants?
The distrust arises because many citizens believe that the census could be a strategy by the government to control how many homes have power generators and extend the blackouts instead of solving the energy crisis. Criticism also focuses on the perception that the government is not effectively addressing the electrical supply issues affecting the country.
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