Cuba is facing another critical day in terms of electricity generation this Tuesday, with the National Electric System (SEN) experiencing low availability, leading to an estimated deficit of 1,596 MW during peak hours.
According to the daily report from the Unión Eléctrica on social media, there are 1,530 MW available this morning against a demand of 2,100 MW, resulting in a deficit of 605 MW in several regions of the country. This situation is expected to worsen in the late afternoon and evening hours.
The electrical crisis is worsening due to multiple breakdowns in key thermal power plants, such as the units at the thermoelectric power stations (CTE) in Mariel, Nuevitas, Felton, and Renté, as well as maintenance work on units in Santa Cruz, Cienfuegos, and Nuevitas.
In addition, the lack of fuel has rendered 58 distributed generation plants out of service, resulting in an additional impact of 360 MW, including the facility in Santiago de Cuba.
Direct impact in Havana
In the capital, the scheduled outages will affect Blocks #3 and #4 from 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m., followed by Block #2 from 3:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. Block #1 will be without service from 6:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m.
These measures, announced by the company in the capital, aim to manage the deficit, but leave thousands of residents in Havana facing yet another day of prolonged blackouts.
Additional impacts in Artemisa
The province of Artemisa continues to suffer the consequences of Hurricane Rafael, with 10 MW out of service due to failures in the electrical networks.
While authorities continue their efforts to restore generation and distribute the limited available energy, the endless power outages reinforce the despair among a population that has been facing the constraints of the National Electric System for months.
Frequently Asked Questions about the Energy Crisis in Cuba
What is the current electricity generation deficit in Cuba?
The current deficit in electricity generation in Cuba reaches 1,596 MW. This deficit occurs during peak hours when demand surpasses the available capacity of the National Electric System (SEN). The situation is exacerbated by breakdowns in several thermoelectric plants and a lack of fuel.
Which power plants are affected by breakdowns and maintenance?
Currently, the units of the thermoelectric plants in Mariel, Nuevitas, Felton, and Renté are experiencing outages. Additionally, maintenance work is being carried out on units in Santa Cruz, Cienfuegos, and Nuevitas. These issues contribute to the electricity generation deficit on the island.
How do scheduled blackouts impact Havana?
Scheduled blackouts in Havana impact different areas of the city at specific times to manage the generation deficit. These power cuts leave thousands of residents without electricity for several hours each day, affecting their daily lives.
What is the impact of Hurricane Rafael on the Cuban electrical crisis?
Hurricane Rafael has caused additional damage to the electrical networks, particularly in the province of Artemisa, where 10 MW are out of service. These disruptions add to the existing issues within the National Electric System, further complicating the recovery of power supply.
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