MIAMI, United States. – Although the process of recovery of the electrical service in Cuba is advancing gradually, 30% of consumers are still disconnected from the electrical grid, according to reported this Tuesday the Ministry of Energy and Mines.
According to the latest reports from the Electrical Union (UNE), issued at 8:30 am this Tuesday, most of the provinces in the west and center of the country have recovered their supply.
Among the provinces with the greatest coverage, more than 95% of customers in Pinar del Río, Artemisa, Havana, Mayabeque, Las Tunas and Holguín already have electricity. In the case of Matanzas, Cienfuegos, Villa Clara, Sancti Spíritus, Ciego de Ávila, Camagüey and Granma, coverage is between 40 and 60%.
However, Santiago de Cuba and Guantánamo are the most affected provinces at this time, with limited access to the service. At the national level, more than 1,400 MW are being generated to cover demand, but breakdowns still persist in the circuits that already have service, according to the UNE.
Lázaro Guerra, general director of Electricity of the Ministry of Energy and Mines, explained on Cuban Television that the situation in the west has been consolidated. “From Pinar del Río to a part of Matanzas, there were no effects during the early hours,” he indicated.
In the east of the country, the situation is more complex. Guerra indicated that it is expected to restore service in Santiago de Cuba this Tuesday morning with the entry into operation of Felton unit 1 and Nuevitas unit 6, among others. However, he warned that although the systems from Matanzas to Guantánamo will be linked, “there will not be enough generation capacity to cover all demand.”
The engineer stressed that they are moving forward “with firm steps to strengthen the system,” but the process will be carried out with caution to guarantee the stability of the National Electric System (SEN). “We are heating the 220,000 volt line to link Felton 1 with Santiago and increase capacity,” Guerra explained.
