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Cuba enters the third month of the year facing more power outages due to a generation capacity deficit of nearly 1600 MW, exceeding that of the previous day.
The Unión Eléctrica (UNE) reports that on Sunday, service was interrupted from 5:19 AM and this continued throughout the night. The peak disruption reached 1562 MW at 7:10 PM, coinciding with the time of highest demand, which was more serious than planned due to the non-operation of the Melones Patana engines.
This Monday at 7:00 am, the National Electroenergy System (SEN) had a deficit of 669 MW, and by noon it is estimated to reach 950 MW.
The country's thermoelectric network continues to suffer malfunctions due to its deteriorated and outdated infrastructure.
Unit 2 of the Felton Power Plant is out of service for this reason, but five other blocks from the Mariel, Santa Cruz, Cienfuegos, and Renté Power Plants are under maintenance.
On the other hand, thermal limitations have left 438 MW out of service.
This Monday, the lack of fuel has rendered 86 distributed generation plants out of service, along with nine engines at the Moa Site, five at the Regla Patana, and another four at the Melones Patana (68 MW), totaling 816 MW affected by this issue.
Forecast for peak hours
During peak demand hours, a recovery of 50 MW is anticipated from distributed generation engines that are offline due to fuel issues, along with the addition of four engines from the Melones Patana, contributing 68 MW.
With this forecast, a capacity of 1723 MW and a maximum demand of 3250 MW is estimated, resulting in a deficit of 1527 MW. Therefore, if the expected conditions persist, a shortfall of 1597 MW is anticipated during this time.
Situation of the capital
The Electric Company of Havana shared information on its social media about the blackout schedule for today.
The program includes disruptions to blocks 1 and 2 from 10:00 AM to 3:00 PM. From that time, it will rotate to block 3, which will be affected until 7:00 PM.
From 6:00 pm to 8:00 pm, Block 4 will be affected.
Frequently Asked Questions about the Power Outage Crisis in Cuba
Why do blackouts happen in Cuba?
The blackouts in Cuba are mainly due to a deficit in electricity generation capacity caused by breakdowns and maintenance in several thermoelectric units, as well as a lack of fuel affecting distributed generation plants. These limitations hinder the ability to meet the country's electricity demand, resulting in constant service interruptions.
What is the magnitude of the electricity deficit in Cuba?
The electric deficit in Cuba is significant, reaching figures of up to 1,600 MW or more. For today, a deficit exceeding 1,500 MW is expected, which has led the Electric Union to announce blackouts nationwide. This deficit is the result of several generating units not coming online and the lack of fuel at distributed power plants.
How do blackouts affect the daily life of Cubans?
Blackouts severely impact daily life in Cuba, interrupting essential activities such as cooking and the use of appliances. This situation generates frustration and discontent among the population, affecting both personal well-being and the country's economy.
What measures is the Cuban government taking to address the blackouts?
The Cuban government has not implemented effective long-term solutions to resolve the energy crisis. Promises of improvement have not materialized, and the response has been insufficient, leaving the population in a state of uncertainty and growing discontent.
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