The incident, which lasted for nearly twelve hours, caused disruptions to basic services such as the supply of drinking water, on a day with high tourist numbers and affecting a registered population of over 700 people.
The mayor, Olivia Duque, emphasized the need for adequate backup systems capable of responding to incidents and ensuring the operation of essential services on the island. "We cannot continue relying on backup systems that are not prepared to respond to an incident and support all the island's essential services," she stated.
Duque believes that the electricity company must consider La Graciosa's population growth in recent years and adapt its facilities to the island's specific needs and particularities. The event, according to the mayor, "highlights the need for La Graciosa to have dignified, safe, and prepared electrical facilities to guarantee essential services in the event of any incident."
During the power outage, the City Council maintained constant communication with Endesa through the Councilor for Public Works, Eugenio Robayna, to expedite procedures and keep residents informed. "From minute one, the City Council has been in contact with the company to resolve the problem, but we understand that, given La Graciosa's conditions, we should not have reached this point," Duque noted.
The Council has requested a meeting with Endesa for next September to address the situation. They also demand the presence of technical personnel on the island, as there has been no company professional based in Caleta de Sebo since 2016, which hinders the response to failures in the main connection.
