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Christmas is approaching, a time traditionally celebrated with parties or family gatherings, but in Cuba, many fear spending it in the dark after a week of increasingly frequent power outages.
This trend does not seem likely to change even as Christmas Eve approaches. The Electric Union (UNE) forecasts a loss of 1,525 MW during peak hours this Friday.
On Thursday, the service was impacted due to a generation capacity deficit throughout the 24-hour period, with a peak disruption of 1,608 MW at 6:30 PM. This situation persisted throughout the night.
Several provinces were almost completely without power.
The Electric Company of Pinar del Río reported on its Telegram account an impact of 112 MW due to demand curve fluctuations.
This Friday, the situation is not improving. According to the UNE report, at 7:00 AM, there were 803 MW affected due to a generation deficit. By noon, the estimated deficit is expected to reach 1100 MW, with a greater impact in the central-eastern region due to high energy transfers to that area.
Three units from the Felton and Renté thermoelectric plants are out of order, one more than the previous day. Additionally, six blocks from the Mariel, Santa Cruz, Cienfuegos, Nuevitas, and Renté power plants remain under maintenance.
Additionally, 73 distributed generation plants are out of service due to a lack of fuel, along with four engines in the Melones and Regla power plants, and the CDE Mariel is operating under limited capacity with unit 1 of the Felton thermoelectric plant also restricted to ensure alignment with its upcoming supply. In total, this has resulted in an impact of 682 MW, more than the 638 MW reported on Thursday.
The limitations in thermal generation are 213 MW.
Frequently Asked Questions about Blackouts in Cuba during December 2024
Why are there constant blackouts in Cuba in December 2024?
Power outages in Cuba are primarily caused by a significant deficit in electricity generation capacity. This deficit stems from breakdowns in several thermoelectric units and a lack of fuel for distributed generation plants. These limitations prevent the country from meeting its electricity demand, leading to frequent service interruptions.
What is the magnitude of the electricity deficit in Cuba this month?
The magnitude of the electricity deficit in Cuba is significant. By December 20, 2024, a deficit exceeding 1,500 MW during peak hours is expected, prompting the Electric Union to announce blackouts across the country. This deficit is connected to the non-operation of several generating units and the lack of fuel at distributed power plants.
How do power outages affect the daily lives of Cubans?
Power outages severely affect the daily life of Cubans, disrupting essential activities such as cooking and using household appliances. The population is experiencing increasing discontent and frustration due to the frequency and duration of these electricity cuts, which negatively impacts the economy and overall well-being.
What measures has the Cuban government taken to address the energy crisis?
So far, the measures taken by the Cuban government have been insufficient to address the energy crisis. Although they have attempted to incorporate some thermoelectric units and restore affected areas, long-term solutions have yet to materialize, leading to protests and unrest among the population.
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