The energy crisis in Cuba continues to cause prolonged and frequent power outages, which this weekend exceed 1,000 MW, a figure that translates into that common nightmare of Cubans which are the endless blackouts.
According to the Cuban Electric Union (UNE), a peak availability of 2,235 MW and a maximum demand of 3,220 MW are estimated for rush hour, resulting in a deficit of 985 MW. Therefore, if the anticipated conditions persist, a shortfall of 1,055 MW is forecasted for this timeframe.
Yesterday, the state-owned company acknowledged a maximum impact of 1,166 MW at 8:50 PM, not coinciding with peak hours. "Yesterday, the service was affected due to a capacity deficit for 24 hours," admitted the company led by Alfredo López Valdés.
Keep an eye on the information: UNE reported Unit 6 in Nuevitas as faulty once again. After 77 days of maintenance, this Unit synchronized with the national power grid (SEN) in mid-May, only to disconnect again in less than 24 hours.
"It is normal for the machine to go out at some point to correct any parameter that does not show satisfactory behavior according to the planned," said engineer Roberto Manuel Pigueiras Fernández, general director of the Mariel thermoelectric plant, days later.
"Normal" is not, whether it is said by Engineer Pigueiras Fernández or by the ruler, engineer and Doctor in Sciences, Miguel Díaz-Canel. Something is happening in Nuevitas with Unit 6, but that "something" is happening throughout the SEN, and it becomes more diffuse amidst the litany of breakdowns and maintenance released daily by the UNE.
The authorities of the Cuban regime seem to fear the collapse of the National Electrical System (SEN) at any moment, or the arrival at the feared critical level of fuel for power generation in the country. The alarms are already sounding in that regard.
In recent days, Díaz-Canel verbalized the biggest fear of Cubans since blackouts intensified at the beginning of the year: There are no guarantees that the summer months will pass without disruptions in the electric service.
"We will have extended maintenance until the month of June to minimize power outage inconvenience in the summer, especially in the months of July and August," the ruler noted, indicating that "achieving zero outages in the current conditions is very difficult."
Anticipating the dreaded scenario, Díaz-Canel added: "There may be a blackout at a certain time, and we will work to ensure that they are not prolonged, that they are not long-lasting".
"Of course, it is a nuisance, but they reach blackout levels that are bearable," considered at the same time the Minister of Energy and Mines, Vicente de la O Levy.
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