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In the midst of the energy crisis affecting Cubans, the Antonio Guiteras Thermoelectric Power Plant, the largest in the country, went offline from the National Electroenergy System (SEN) again this Saturday at 2:30 AM, this time for minor maintenance.
According to the authorities, the maintenance “should last for a period of about four days.”
Rubén Campos Olmo, the general director of the industry, told the Cuban News Agency that more than 500 corrective actions will be undertaken.
Among them, efforts will be made to address failures in the high-temperature reheater (RAT) tubes, which are a primary cause of excessive water consumption in the unit that has been in operation for over 35 years.
In addition, the cleaning of the condenser and the washing of the regenerative air heaters (CAR) will be carried out, as well as the repair and replacement of about 40 valves and work on the automatic and electrical systems, the official assured.
The work is being carried out by around one hundred workers from the Electric Central Maintenance Company (EMCE), coming from various provinces.
On Friday, authorities had assured that maintenance would be postponed for at least 48 hours due to the impossibility of stopping the plant without worsening the already fragile balance of the national electricity system, affected by daily power outages and generation deficits.
In recent months, the Guiteras has experienced multiple breakdowns, unexpected shutdowns, and leaks that have forced constant interruptions in its operation.
A few days ago, the unit had been partially stopped for parts replacement, following a series of breakdowns that highlighted the structural deterioration of the power plant.
The authorities explained that the intervention was necessary to prevent further damage, although the complete maintenance was postponed due to the lack of stability in the network.
Shortly thereafter, another interruption due to a fault removed Guiteras from the system once again, forcing the distribution of the load among other less efficient units and increasing blackouts throughout the country.
The pattern of recurring failures demonstrates the regime's inability to sustain a plant that, despite its age, remains one of the country's main sources of energy generation.
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