A young Cuban woman living in Manicaragua, Villa Clara, has taken to TikTok to voice her frustration over receiving an electricity bill for 356 pesos and 25 cents. This hefty charge comes despite her town experiencing constant power outages, with electricity available for just one hour every 24 hours. Identified as @izzys33 on TikTok, she displayed the bill and expressed her outrage: "Here in Manicaragua, there's never electricity, neither day nor night—only one hour in 24 or whenever they decide to switch it on. How can I be charged 356 pesos and 25 cents?"
She explained that her household only has a refrigerator, with no other appliances that could justify such a high charge. "This is a real scam, and it needs to be reported," she added, mentioning that CiberCuba was authorized to share her complaint "to end the sham and scam the electric company is running here."
The video sparked various reactions from TikTok users. Some speculated that the high consumption might be due to potential electricity theft by neighbors, while others accused the electric company of abuse. There were also those who recalled similar experiences in Cuba and expressed their anger over exorbitant electricity charges amid ongoing blackouts.
Energy Crisis in Cuba
Her story surfaces amid a severe energy crisis on the island. This Friday, Cuba's Electric Union (UNE) announced the country is dealing with a 1,600 MW deficit, resulting in extended blackouts across various provinces. The previous day, the shortfall hit 1,615 MW during peak hours, worsening the plight for thousands of Cubans.
The crisis stems from breakdowns in thermoelectric plants, scheduled maintenance, and fuel shortages, leaving 77 distributed generation plants out of service. In Havana, the Electric Company has implemented scheduled outages that disrupt daily life and the economy.
This isn't Izzy's first time using social media to highlight the challenges faced in Cuba. In an earlier video, she demonstrated how she resorted to cooking with an alcohol stove during a blackout to make an omelet. "Here in Cuba, eggs are 300 pesos each, so I ate 900 pesos," she said, underscoring the steep food prices on the island.
In other posts, she has shared glimpses of her everyday life, showcasing the scarcity of basic goods like cheese and beef, and expressing frustration over the lack of access to essential items. Her account adds to the chorus of Cubans using social media to expose the country's economic and energy crisis.
The young woman's complaint in Manicaragua highlights the paradox that, despite prolonged blackouts, consumers continue to receive exorbitant electricity bills. The lack of transparency in billing and the energy crisis have triggered widespread discontent among citizens, who persist in voicing their grievances on social media.
Understanding Cuba's Electricity Challenges
What are the main reasons for Cuba's electricity shortages?
Cuba's electricity shortages are primarily due to breakdowns in thermoelectric plants, scheduled maintenance, and a lack of fuel, which has resulted in 77 distributed generation plants being out of service.
How are Cubans coping with frequent blackouts?
Many Cubans, like Izzy, are turning to alternative cooking methods such as alcohol stoves during blackouts. They also use social media to raise awareness about the challenges they face, including the scarcity of basic goods and high living costs.
Why are electricity bills high despite frequent blackouts in Cuba?
Despite frequent blackouts, high electricity bills in Cuba may be due to a lack of transparency in billing practices, potential electricity theft, and inefficiencies within the electric company.