As news broke that Guantánamo had reestablished its link to the National Electric System (SEN) on Friday, it triggered a wave of sarcastic and frustrated reactions on social media. Countless residents reported noticing no change whatsoever in their homes.
According to Facebook posts by the local outlet Periódico Venceremos, the Guantánamo Electric Company initially announced the province's disconnection from the SEN, only to later declare that the connection had been restored. This second announcement prompted a flood of comments questioning its true significance, rather than relief.
"Hear that... and yet most of us still have no power," one user commented. Another bluntly inquired, "So why don't I have electricity?" A third person stated there was no light: "not before, during, or after."
The technical distinction is crucial: reconnecting a province to the SEN doesn't necessarily mean all circuits receive electricity, especially when there are 54 damaged transformers reported by the Guantánamo Electric Company as of Friday.
One comment succinctly captured the sentiment: "They fix it quicker than lightning, ten minutes and done, but we're still left without power."
Weekend Power Woes
Several users made ironic remarks about the timing coinciding with the weekend's start: "It's Friday, and the SEN knows it," one wrote. Another was more explicit: "This is the SEN's Friday game, they shake it up and tell you the system's down, but it's always a Friday going into the weekend."
On Friday, the National Electric Union estimated a mere 840 MW available against a demand of 2,800 MW, projecting a national shortfall of almost 1,990 MW, according to the day's power outage report. The Antonio Guiteras thermoelectric plant, the country's largest, was out of service after its fifth breakdown in October, with an inspection revealing three simultaneous cracks in its boiler.
Guantánamo experienced a regional disconnection on October 25 when the tripping of the Cueto-Renté high-tension line isolated the province along with Santiago de Cuba. After reconnecting, blackouts persisted: in the following days, provincial outages ranged from 50 to 62 MW, with circuits enduring over 21 hours without service.
Understanding Power Outages in Guantánamo
Why didn't Guantánamo residents notice any change after reconnection to the SEN?
Although Guantánamo was reconnected to the National Electric System, many circuits didn't receive power due to 54 damaged transformers in the province.
What caused the power issues in Guantánamo on October 25?
The power issues were triggered by the tripping of the Cueto-Renté high-tension line, which isolated Guantánamo along with Santiago de Cuba.
How significant was the power shortfall in Cuba on the reported Friday?
The National Electric Union reported only 840 MW available against a demand of 2,800 MW, resulting in a projected national shortfall of almost 1,990 MW.