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The Electric Union of Cuba (UNE) reported this Monday that the country experienced disruptions in electrical service for 24 hours the day before and into the early morning of September 9, due to a severe generation deficit. The situation continues this Monday with expectations of outages across the entire national territory.
According to the official report, the maximum impact on Sunday was 1742 MW at 8:00 p.m., a figure higher than initially estimated, due to the non-operation of unit 6 of the Renté Thermoelectric Power Plant (CTE). For this Monday, the SEN availability is only 1810 MW against a demand of 2935 MW, which has resulted in a real impact of 1200 MW since the early hours of the day.
Official estimates for noon predict 1100 MW affected, while during the nighttime peak hours a demand of 3550 MW is anticipated, with only 1950 MW available, resulting in a deficit of 1590 MW and an estimated impact of 1660 MW.
Breakdowns, maintenance issues, and fuel shortages exacerbate the crisis
The SEN is facing severe structural deterioration. Currently, the units 3 and 6 of the CTE Renté and the unit 2 of the CTE Felton are out of service due to breakdowns. Additionally, the unit 1 of Felton, the unit 2 of Santa Cruz, and the unit 4 of the CTE Carlos Manuel de Céspedes, in Cienfuegos, are undergoing scheduled maintenance.
These limitations are compounded by 459 MW out of service due to thermal restrictions, while 46 distributed generation plants are non-operational due to a lack of fuel, resulting in an additional loss of 241 MW. Another 142 MW are unavailable due to a lack of lubricants.
In Havana, all the blocks were affected
In the Cuban capital, the Electric Company of Havana reported that service was interrupted at 9:30 p.m. on Sunday and was not restored until 7:32 a.m. on Monday, with a maximum impact of 128 MW at 8:00 p.m. that forced the disconnection of the six electrical blocks.
The entity has published a schedule of interruptions by blocks that extends from 10:00 a.m. on September 9 until 10:00 a.m. on the 10th, subject to the requirements of the SEN. The schedule includes rotating outages in blocks B1, B2, B4, B5, and B6, while reserving block B3 as a backup.
Frequently Asked Questions about the Energy Crisis and Blackouts in Cuba
Why do blackouts persist in Cuba?
Power outages in Cuba continue due to a severe deficit in electrical generation. The situation is exacerbated by breakdowns in several thermoelectric units, scheduled maintenance of others, and the lack of fuel and lubricants necessary to operate distributed generation plants. This structural crisis of the national electrical system prevents meeting the country's energy demand, leading to ongoing outages.
What is the current electricity generation deficit in Cuba?
The electricity generation deficit in Cuba exceeds 1,700 MW. This figure has led to widespread and prolonged blackouts across the country. The Electric Union of Cuba has reported that during peak evening hours, demand far exceeds availability, exacerbating the situation of power outages.
What measures are being taken to address the energy crisis in Cuba?
Despite the seriousness of the crisis, the measures taken so far have proven insufficient to resolve the energy deficit. Maintenance has been scheduled for thermal power units, and there have been attempts to incorporate energy from solar parks, but these efforts have not succeeded in compensating for the shortage of electrical generation. Moreover, the government has not presented a concrete plan to overcome the reliance on outdated thermal power plants.
How do power outages affect daily life in Cuba?
Blackouts seriously affect daily life in Cuba, impacting food preservation, access to drinking water, and the operation of essential services such as hospitals, businesses, and public transport. The population faces entire days without electricity, which not only affects the quality of life but also generates discomfort and protests in different regions of the country.
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