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In an announcement that seems more like a meme or a mockery, the Electric Union of Cuba (UNE) informed this Monday that it will "reinforce" the electricity supply in the eastern region due to the approach of Hurricane Melissa.
The state agency assured on Facebook that electricity generation in that region of the country will be prioritized to ensure the population is prepared for the weather phenomenon, while the rest of the provinces will experience greater service disruptions.
"Due to the proximity of the powerful hurricane Melisa, it was decided to prioritize the existing energy availability in the country for the Eastern region of Cuba in order to ensure better preparation for the population to face the weather event, therefore the rest of the provinces will experience greater impact," stated the brief communiqué.
However, users' comments on social media contradict the official version. "And where is that, in what part of the East?" asked user Eliset Díaz, while another user, María de los Ángeles, reported that in her area they had been without power for almost 20 hours, "scared and without electricity to prepare, it's not easy."
Other internet users also expressed skepticism about the supposed reinforcement. "If they truly prioritized it, I would be very happy, but I highly doubt that's the case," wrote Freiman Almanza González, while also recalling that provinces like Ciego de Ávila also experience prolonged blackouts.
From Holguín, Fernando Acedo joked about the official announcement: “It’s true, there has been no power since midnight. Great priority. Liars, this is part of Holguín… oh, I think Holguín is now in the west,” he commented with laughter.
The reactions were accompanied by more comments from residents in the eastern part of the country who denied the supposed "priority" announced by the Electric Union.
“Yes, of course, we’re already noticing it; we have so much electricity that it’s bothering us,” joked Katy Romero, while Dailanis Jeilis Fonseca asked, “Where is the current? Because we’re in a total blackout in Bayamo.”
Isabel González also questioned the official announcement: “But my God, do I no longer live in the East? Because the power outages are still the same here.”
In the same vein, Yamiselis Jorge Vega stated that “almost all of Granma is without power,” reflecting the contrast between institutional propaganda and the reality faced by the population.
The testimonies reflect a reality very different from what is disseminated by the state-owned company, with large sectors of the country in the dark and an electrical system that continues to exhibit serious structural failures even before the passage of Hurricane Melissa.
The announced "reinforcement," however, contrasts with the current generation capacity of the National Electric System. In this regard, the official journalist José Miguel Solís reported on Facebook that the deficit this Monday would be over 1,775 MW during peak demand hours.
According to the latest report from the organization itself, the SEN stopped producing over 1,200 MW due to issues in the thermoelectric plants and a shortage of fuels and lubricants in what's known as distributed generation.
The report specifies that on Sunday, the service was affected for 24 hours, with a maximum impact of 1,762 MW at 7:40 PM.
The system availability at six in the morning this Monday was 1,495 MW, compared to a demand of 2,600 MW, leaving over 1,000 MW out of the system due to a capacity shortfall.
Among the main incidents, breakdowns are mentioned in units 3 of the Carlos Manuel de Céspedes thermoelectric plant, 2 of Felton, and 6 of Renté, as well as maintenance work in the plants of Santa Cruz, Cienfuegos, and Nuevitas.
There are also reports of 462 MW out of service due to limitations in thermal generation and 819 MW affected by a lack of fuel and lubricants.
During peak hours, a capacity of only 1,495 MW is estimated against a demand of 3,200 MW, resulting in a deficit of 1,705 MW and a projected shortfall of 1,775 MW, confirming that the "reinforcement" of electricity announced by the Unión Eléctrica is far from being a tangible reality.
In this context, between deficits and "reinforcement," eastern Cuba is preparing to be hit by Hurricane Melissa.
This Monday, the National Civil Defense Headquarters declared the Cyclonic Alarm Phase for the provinces of Guantánamo, Santiago de Cuba, Holguín, Granma, Las Tunas, and Camagüey, due to the imminent approach of Hurricane Melissa, which reached category 5 on the Saffir-Simpson scale.
According to Informative Note No. 3, published by Civil Defense on its official profile on Facebook, the hurricane has continued to gain intensity, with sustained maximum winds of 260 kilometers per hour and higher gusts, while its central pressure dropped to 917 hectopascals.
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