On Sunday, November 3, 2024, Cuba will adjust its clocks by setting them back one hour at 1:00 am, marking the beginning of standard or winter time. This change signifies the end of daylight saving time, which was implemented last March. The Unión Eléctrica (UNE) shared on Facebook that this transition will result in earlier sunrises and sunsets.
This routine practice on the island aims to optimize the use of natural light throughout the day during the winter months. The state-run newspaper Venceremos from Guantánamo reported on Facebook that Cuba would be altering its clocks this coming Sunday.
Implications of the Time Shift
“With this time adjustment, both dawn and dusk will occur earlier, leading to a spike in electricity usage,” the news outlet warned. It also urged citizens to use electricity judiciously at home and in workplaces, highlighting the ongoing energy crisis in Cuba and hinting at a worrying energy shortfall in the months ahead.
The practice of adjusting clocks is intended as a fuel-saving measure in various parts of the world. Cuba first introduced daylight saving time on June 10, 1928, but it was not well-received, leading to the repeal of the decree the following year. Nevertheless, the practice became a regular occurrence starting in 1963.
Ongoing Power Challenges
Although the Cuban regime claims to have stabilized the National Electric System, frequent power outages continue to disrupt daily life. In provinces like Holguín, residents face blackouts lasting more than 10 hours a day. The Electric Company of Holguín acknowledged on social media that a "generation deficit" caused power cuts lasting up to 11 hours in one of the province's circuits.
This week began with little positive news concerning the electrical supply, a situation that has become all too common in recent months. On Monday, the UNE announced a generation shortfall exceeding 1,000 megawatts (MW).