This Saturday, the forecast for blackouts in Cuba remains critical due to a significant deficit in electricity generation capacity, caused by multiple breakdowns in thermoelectric plants and a lack of fuel for distributed generation.
According to the official report published by the Electric Union (UNE) on its Facebook profile, the availability of the National Electroenergetic System (SEN) at 7:00 a.m. was 1,480 MW, while the demand reached 1,875 MW, resulting in an initial deficit of 408 MW.
During the peak hour this Saturday, a deficit of 1,484 MW is projected, with an estimated impact of up to 1,554 MW.
Among the major breakdowns are Unit 5 of the Mariel Thermal Power Plant, Unit 2 of the Felton Thermal Power Plant, and Units 3 and 6 of the Renté Thermal Power Plant. Additionally, various plants are undergoing maintenance, including the Santa Cruz Thermal Power Plant, the Cienfuegos Thermal Power Plant, the Nuevitas Thermal Power Plant, and the Boca de Jaruco plant, further limiting generation capacity.
The situation of the thermal power plants is compounded by the unavailability of 37 distributed generation facilities due to a lack of fuel, resulting in an impact of 392 MW. Additionally, 2 engines are still out of service in the Santiago de Cuba port and the Moa CDE.
The Electric Union added that in the province of Artemisa, an additional 8 MW are out of service due to damage to the electrical networks caused by Hurricane Rafael's passage in early November.
The authorities expect to incorporate some units gradually, but the forecast for the night does not suggest an immediate solution. This situation underscores the fragility of the National Electrical System, which is facing a complicated landscape due to a combination of technical, operational, and logistical factors.
Last Thursday, a massive blackout affected several Cuban provinces due to a failure at the Lidio Ramón Pérez power plant, known as Felton, located in Holguín.
According to a brief report from UNE, the incident occurred at 7:33 PM when Block 1 of the plant automatically shut down, interrupting its operation.
Despite the announcement on Friday morning regarding the synchronization of Felton to the National Electric System (SEN), the National Electric Company (UNE) reported an availability of 1,610 MW against a demand of 2,000 MW at 7:00 a.m. on Friday, resulting in a deficit of 456 MW.
According to their daily report, during peak hours, a capacity of 1,745 MW was forecasted against an estimated demand of 3,100 MW, resulting in a deficit of 1,355 MW and a projected impact of 1,425 MW.
This situation, which has plunged Cubans into widespread frustration, led the Santiago priest Leandro NaunHung to ironically and resignedly summarize it as “We are facing a Christmas without colored lights,” referring to the time of year.
His comment, laced with irony, reflects not only the harshness of the current circumstances but also the hope of many Cubans to someday achieve a more prosperous life under a different political system.
Frequently Asked Questions about the Energy Crisis in Cuba
What is the main cause of blackouts in Cuba?
The main cause of blackouts in Cuba is a significant deficit in electrical generation capacity, resulting from multiple outages at thermal power plants and a lack of fuel for distributed generation. This situation is further exacerbated by the maintenance of units and damage to electrical networks caused by weather events such as hurricanes.
Which power plants are currently affected in Cuba?
Currently, several thermal power plants in Cuba are experiencing malfunctions, including unit 5 of the Mariel Thermal Power Plant, unit 2 of the Felton Thermal Power Plant, and units 3 and 6 of the Renté Thermal Power Plant. Additionally, other units are under maintenance, such as those at the Santa Cruz Thermal Power Plant, Cienfuegos Thermal Power Plant, Nuevitas Thermal Power Plant, and Boca de Jaruco, further limiting the electricity generation capacity in the country.
How does the lack of fuel affect electricity generation in Cuba?
The shortage of fuel in Cuba has rendered 37 distributed generation plants out of service, significantly impacting the response capacity of the National Electricity System (SEN). This lack of fuel contributes to the generation deficit and the massive blackouts the country is experiencing.
What measures is the Cuban government taking to address the energy crisis?
The Cuban government has tried to partially incorporate some thermoelectric units and restore areas affected by breakdowns. However, these measures have not been sufficient to resolve the energy crisis the country is facing, and the lack of fuel remains a critical barrier to a short-term solution.
How is the energy crisis affecting the Cuban population?
The energy crisis in Cuba is severely impacting the daily lives of Cubans, causing widespread frustration and dissatisfaction due to ongoing blackouts. The lack of electricity affects the quality of life, leading to food wastage and a growing sense of despair, which is evident in protests and demonstrations against the regime in various regions of the country.
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