It doesn't matter that all of Cuba was plunged into darkness on Wednesday due to the disconnection of the National Electric System (SEN). This Thursday, power outages continue due to a significant generation deficit (1475 MW), a sad reality that no one finds surprising.
The Electric Union (UNE) reported that the service was restored at 12:09 this morning.
More than an hour later, at 1:44 AM, the service was restored due to capacity deficits, except for 8 MW in the province of Artemisa due to damage caused by Hurricane Rafael and 10 MW in Contramaestre, Santiago de Cuba due to a failure at the substation.
This Thursday, the availability of the SEN at 7:00 AM was 1450 MW, while the demand was 1900 MW, resulting in a generation deficit of 550 MW. During peak hours, the deficit is expected to rise to 850 MW and will reach 1475 MW at the peak hour.
At the time of writing this report, five blocks of the thermal power plants Mariel, Santa Cruz, Felton, and Renté are out of service. Additionally, another five units from four power plants are undergoing maintenance.
On the other hand, 33 distributed generation plants and the truck in Santiago de Cuba are out of service due to a lack of fuel, affecting a total of 197 MW.
The limitations in thermal generation are 321 MW.
The unexpected disconnection of the Antonio Guiteras thermoelectric plant caused the third collapse of the National Electric System in Cuba in less than two months.
The Ministry of Energy and Mines reported on the morning of December 4 that it had begun the gradual restoration through the "creation of islands," as occurred during the previous two outages.
The incident triggered a domino effect that significantly impacted other essential basic services for the population.
The interruption of the electricity supply directly affected the pumping and distribution of drinking water, as well as the provision of gas, which is essential for cooking food.
Internet connectivity and mobile phone services also experienced interruptions, hindering communications and access to information.
Frequently Asked Questions about Power Outages in Cuba and the Energy Crisis
Why do blackouts continue in Cuba?
Power outages in Cuba continue due to a significant electricity generation deficit, which currently reaches up to 1,475 MW during peak hours. This deficit is caused by breakdowns at several thermoelectric plants, a lack of fuel, and damage caused by natural events such as Hurricane Rafael.
What impact do blackouts have on the daily lives of Cubans?
Power outages severely impact the daily lives of Cubans, interrupting essential services such as the supply of drinking water, gas, and electricity. Furthermore, they hinder Internet connectivity and mobile phone services, complicating communications and access to information, which creates an atmosphere of dissatisfaction and frustration among the population.
How has Hurricane Rafael affected the Cuban electrical system?
Hurricane Rafael has caused significant damage to the Cuban electrical system, resulting in faults in the power networks and affecting generation in provinces such as Artemisa. These damages add to the existing limitations and further complicate the restoration of the power supply.
What measures has the Electric Union of Cuba taken to address the energy crisis?
The Electric Union of Cuba has sought to tackle the crisis by performing maintenance on thermal power plants and implementing rotating power outages to distribute the impact more equitably. However, these measures have not been sufficient to stabilize the electricity supply on the island.
What is the reaction of the Cuban population to the ongoing blackouts?
The Cuban population has expressed its frustration and discontent through social media, criticizing the lack of fairness in the scheduling of blackouts and questioning the accuracy of the data provided by the Electric Union. Protests have been suppressed by the authorities, highlighting widespread discontent with the handling of the energy crisis.
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