Massive blackouts continue in Cuba as the national electrical system is being restored

The widespread blackouts continue to increase the discontent among Cubans, who will once again suffer the consequences this Saturday of the incomplete restoration of the national electrical system (SEN).

This was reported by the official journalist José Miguel Solís, who shared on his social media the state of electricity generation on the Island, which remains critical following the passage of Hurricane Rafael and the recent total collapse experienced by the SEN.

"The SEN today, Saturday. A deficit of approximately 752 MW during peak demand," Solís stated on Facebook, quoting comments made to Cuban Television by engineer Lázaro Guerra Hernández, technical director of the Unión Eléctrica de Cuba (UNE).

The executive reported that the interconnection of the Mariel substation had been successfully achieved, which allowed the floating plant to start up and initiate the startup of unit number 6 of the Máximo Gómez thermoelectric power station in Mariel.

Among the recovery goals achieved, Guerra Hernández mentioned that unit 1 of the Santa Cruz del Norte power plant had already been synchronized and unit 4 of the Cienfuegos power plant had been integrated.

"For today, a availability of 1,918 MW is expected during peak hours, with a maximum demand of 2,600 MW, resulting in a deficit of 752 MW," Solís noted, quoting the UNE executive in his post.

This forecast contrasts with previous ones, as the figures for both maximum demand and peak hour deficits differ significantly from those typically seen in recent times.

The reasons for the state-run company making such a different forecast compared to previous ones are unclear, as demand had consistently exceeded 3,000 MW and the "impacts" were over 1,400 megawatts or more.

Finally, the executive from UNE indicated that the possibility of connecting Pinar del Río to the SEN was being considered and that it was maintaining “stable operations.”

"The damage to the distribution network in Artemisa is significant, as it is in Havana. The capital is at 48% electricity coverage. Mayabeque is at 49%," Solís emphasized in his post.