The energy crisis in Cuba shows no signs of easing, as evidenced by the 1,660 MW of blackouts experienced by the island's citizens this Friday, a figure surpassing the 1,580 MW projected by the Electric Union (UNE).
In its report for this Saturday, the state entity announced the shutdown of two additional thermal units: Unit 1 of the Santa Cruz Power Plant due to a malfunction and Unit 6 of the Nuevitas Power Plant for maintenance.
However, despite the departure of both units, the forecast for power outages today is lower than yesterday's: 1,481 MW during peak hours.
According to the daily report on the energy situation in Cuba, this Friday the service began to be affected from 5:07 a.m. due to insufficient electricity generation capacity.
That situation worsened during peak demand hours, and the service was not fully restored early this morning, further extending the impact on users.
At 7:00 a.m. on November 30, the availability of the National Electric System was 1,695 MW against a demand of 2,280 MW, resulting in a deficit of 635 MW.
Regarding daytime power outage projections, it is estimated that there will be a deficit impact of approximately 900 MW.
Three thermoelectric units are currently out of service: unit 5 of the Mariel CTE, unit 1 of the Santa Cruz CTE, and unit 2 of the Felton CTE.
Five other units are under maintenance: Unit 2 of the Santa Cruz power plant; Units 3 and 4 of the Cienfuegos power plant; Unit 6 of the Nuevitas power plant; and Unit 5 of the Renté power plant.
These limitations in thermal generation represent a total of 316 MW.
On the other hand, 55 distributed generation plants are out of service due to a lack of fuel, affecting a total of 306 MW.
In addition, the Santiago de Cuba power plant contributes 65 MW, bringing the total affected by this issue to 371 MW.
Regarding the projections for peak hours: An availability of 1,769 MW is expected against a maximum demand of 3,180 MW, resulting in a deficit of 1,411 MW.
This would result in an estimated impact of 1,481 MW if the anticipated conditions persist.
To mitigate this situation, the incorporation of 24 MW is anticipated through the addition of two engines in the Santiago de Cuba facility, along with the reactivation of Unit 1 at Energas Boca de Jaruco and the completion of the combined cycle, which would contribute an additional 50 MW.
The outlook for the SEN remains critical, with limitations in thermal and distributed generation, along with significant breakdowns in several of its key units, which further strains the response capacity during peak consumption times.
Frequently Asked Questions about Blackouts in Cuba
What is the current situation regarding blackouts in Cuba?
The energy situation in Cuba is critical, with blackouts impacting the population due to a power generation deficit. Today, blackouts of up to 1,481 MW are anticipated during peak hours, with generation availability significantly below demand.
What causes the blackouts in Cuba?
Power outages in Cuba are caused by the shutdown of several thermoelectric units due to faults and maintenance. Additionally, the lack of fuel affects distributed generation plants, exacerbating the energy crisis in the country.
How do power outages affect daily life in Cuba?
Blackouts severely impact the daily lives of Cubans, hindering essential activities such as cooking and using household appliances. The population is increasingly dissatisfied due to the constant and prolonged interruptions in electricity service.
What is the government's response to the energy crisis?
The government's response has been insufficient to resolve the energy crisis. Effective long-term solutions have not been implemented, and the population continues to suffer from the effects of power outages. Promises of improvement have not materialized, leading to frustration and protests in various regions of the country.
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