The Cuban Electric Union (UNE) warned of a challenging weekend for the National Electric Power System (SEN), with projections of over 700 MW of "affectations" (power outages) during peak hours this Sunday.
In its latest statement, the UNE detailed that, despite the restoration efforts following Hurricane Rafael, the system continues to face serious limitations.
On Saturday, the highest "impact" recorded due to a generation capacity deficit reached 545 MW at 6:10 PM, coinciding with the peak demand period. The provinces most affected were Matanzas, Cienfuegos, Camagüey, and Guantánamo. This situation persisted until 9:02 PM, when a partial restoration of service was achieved.
Impact of Breakdowns and Accumulated Deficit
The UNE reported that, in addition to the generation deficit, the aftermath of Hurricane Rafael continues to impact the electrical grid.
During peak demand hours on Saturday, approximately 478 MW were lost due to failures in the distribution networks in Pinar del Río (96 MW), Artemisa (140 MW), Havana (191 MW), and Mayabeque (51 MW).
This situation not only highlights the system's vulnerability but also reflects the accumulated strain caused by a lack of maintenance and the aging infrastructure.
At 7:00 AM on Sunday, the availability of the SEN was 1,950 MW, while the demand reached 1,700 MW, preventing any disruptions due to a shortfall at that time.
However, 286 MW remained out of service due to breakdowns in: Pinar del Río (52 MW), Artemisa (135 MW), Havana (80 MW), and Mayabeque (19 MW), indicating a challenging situation for the rest of the day.
Worrisome forecasts for tonight
According to the UNE, the deficit is expected to reach 650 MW during peak nighttime hours, when the maximum demand is projected to be 2,600 MW.
This situation could lead to "impacts" of up to 720 MW, worsening outages in areas already affected by frequent interruptions. The state-owned company estimates that the recovery from these impacts could extend into the early hours of tomorrow.
The report also provided information about the thermal power plants that are out of service, including Unit 5 of the Mariel Thermoelectric Power Plant and Unit 2 of the Felton Thermoelectric Power Plant, as well as units from the Renté Power Plant and others currently under maintenance.
These limitations in thermal generation amount to 500 MW, while the lack of fuel has left 28 distributed generation plants inactive, with a total capacity of 121 MW.
Perspectives for the population
The energy situation in Cuba remains critical, with a National Electric System struggling to maintain stability. The projected "affectations" for this Sunday reinforce the reality that the electrical crisis on the island will not be resolved in the short term.
Breakdowns and the generation deficit continue to force millions of Cubans to endure long periods of blackouts, which affect not only home comfort but also economic activity and daily life.
The UNE has reiterated that recovery and maintenance efforts will continue, although expectations for a stable supply still seem distant. The reliance on aging infrastructure and the lack of resources remain the biggest challenges for the electricity sector in Cuba.
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