Matanzas electrical upgrade secures water pumping for 36,000 residents

Electrical workers from Unión de Reyes and Jagüey Grande have completed a 13-kilovolt line installation in Matanzas, Cuba. The project is designed to maintain water pumping for over 36,000 residents in the city's upper and middle areas during power outages. The new infrastructure feeds the Pedraja and Hormigón tanks, benefiting neighborhoods such as Los Mangos, Lozano, El Naranjal, and Kilometer 101.

The connection was extended from a dual power supply system originally installed for the Faustino Pérez Provincial Hospital. While the project provides relief, it addresses only approximately 15% of the more than 240,000 Matanzas residents currently facing severe water supply issues. During peak crisis periods in 2026, the number of affected individuals in the province exceeded 300,000.

The project highlights the systemic link between Cuba's energy and water sectors. According to the National Institute of Hydraulic Resources, 87% of the water supply system relies on the National Electric System (SEN). Of the country's 480 critical pumping stations, only 135 are protected against outages, meaning water access often halts when the electrical grid fails.