The National Electric System (SEN) once again recorded severe disruptions in electricity service on Wednesday, May 15, with outages across the country for 24 hours the previous day, which continued into the early hours of today, according to the Electric Union (UNE).
The highest recorded impact was 1475 MW at 8:40 PM on Tuesday, outside the usual peak demand hours, due to the unexpected outage of Unit 1 of the Thermoelectric Power Plant (CTE) in Santa Cruz del Norte and higher than anticipated consumption.
Critical energy panorama
At 7:00 AM this Wednesday, the availability of the SEN was 1850 MW, compared to a demand of 2875 MW, resulting in an impact of 1056 MW. The company estimates that around 1,250 MW of load may remain without service during the noon hour.
For the peak nighttime hours, forecasts indicate that the situation will worsen: with a demand of 3380 MW and an estimated availability of only 1990 MW, the system would have a deficit of 1390 MW and a potential impact of up to 1460 MW, if current conditions persist.
Scheduled blackouts in Havana
The Electric Company of Havana reported that, due to a generation deficit in the National Electricity System, service interruptions will be implemented in the capital this Wednesday according to the following schedule:
- From 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.: block #4 will be affected.
- From 11:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.: block #5 will be affected.
- From 3:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.: block #2 will rotate.
- From 7:00 p.m. to 11:00 p.m.: block #3 will be affected.
- From 8:00 p.m. to 12:00 a.m.: block #1 will be affected.
Technical failures and lack of fuel
Among the main incidents reported by the UNE are:
- Breakdowns: in Unit 1 of the Santa Cruz CTE and Unit 2 of the Felton CTE.
- Maintenance: in the units of the CTE of Santa Cruz (2 and 3), Cienfuegos (Unit 4), Nuevitas (Unit 5), and Renté (Unit 5).
- Thermal limitations: 253 MW out of service.
- Fuel deficit: 240 MW due to a shortage of oil in distributed generation engines, with a total of 700 MW affected by this issue.
The UNE indicated that 70 MW of diesel plants currently out of service could be recovered and that the operation of Unit 1 of the CTE Santa Cruz is expected to bring an additional 70 MW online.
Insufficient solar production
The 12 photovoltaic solar parks in the country collectively generated 1108 MWh, an amount insufficient to compensate for the structural deficiencies of the thermal system and the issues related to the lack of fuel.
Frequently Asked Questions about the Energy Crisis in Cuba
What is the main cause of power outages in Cuba?
The main cause of blackouts in Cuba is the significant electricity generation deficit, which exceeds 1,400 MW. This deficit is due to technical failures, maintenance in thermoelectric plants, and a lack of fuel.
How do massive power outages affect the Cuban population?
Massive blackouts deeply affect the quality of life for the Cuban population, making essential daily activities such as cooking and using appliances difficult. This situation generates frustration and exacerbates social discontent.
What measures is the Cuban government taking to address the energy crisis?
The Cuban government is promoting renewable energy projects, such as the construction of photovoltaic solar parks, but these measures are insufficient to resolve the structural crisis of the electric system.
What are the scheduled blackout times in Havana?
In Havana, the scheduled blackouts are carried out in time blocks. For example, block #4 may be without service from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m., while other blocks experience outages at different intervals throughout the day.
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