ilustrativa

Havana, June 17 (RHC)-- Cuban President Miguel Díaz-Canel Bermúdez on Thursday called for solidarity and collective responsibility through energy saving in the face of the difficulties with power generation in the country.

In a special TV broadcast from the headquarters of the Ministry of Energy and Mines,  the head of state made a thorough analysis of the national electro-energy situation based on statements made by the population.

He explained that some opinions recognize the efforts of the electric workers, while others voice concerns about the system's stability, the shortage of fuel, and dissatisfaction with the information on the scheduling of power outages.

Díaz-Canel stressed that the main causes of the complex context in Cuba are the breakdowns and lack of maintenance in power plants and the fuel deficit, elements associated with the financial persecution suffered by the nation due to the U.S. blockade.

He acknowledged the effort of the electric system's staff to inform the schedule of the blackouts duly, with permanent spaces on radio and television. However, he specified that if there is still a lack of information, it must be checked immediately in each territory.

He commented that if the most important thermoelectric plants: Felton, in the province of Holguín, and Antonio Guiteras, in Matanzas, go out of the system due to breakdowns or maintenance, it is tough to compensate for those deficits with alternative sources of energy.

The Cuban Head of State announced that the Antonio Guiteras thermoelectric power plant is expected to be close to its nominal power, which would be reached after 10 days of such work.

He noted that the country is working to improve the situation of electric power generation to guarantee the demand for the summer season.

According to President Díaz-Canel, thanks to the help of a friendly country, Cuba plans to incorporate three new generating blocks. Still, it will not be in the short term, and he informed that mobile power generation plants are being used to compensate for the demand.

He ratified the recognition of the efforts of the sector's workers, their daily battles and heroism, with strict work regimes and in operations with a high level of danger.

Diaz-Canel informed that he would be touring the country's power plants in the coming hours to meet and accompany their employees who are working nonstop.

"With them, we will also get out of this crisis. I guarantee it. I do not give an exact date, and I only say it is not far away," the Cuban President said.