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Cuba remains shrouded in darkness, and this Saturday, the population is facing long hours of power outages due to a generation capacity deficit of nearly 1,200 MW.
Although the figure is lower than 1412 MW (the maximum impact on Friday, recorded at 6:10 PM), it is important to note that the Electric Union (UNE) only provides a forecast that often falls short.
This occurred the day before when experts estimated an impact of 1,095 MW during peak demand, while the actual figure reached 1,412 MW.
In its daily report published on Facebook, the UNE revealed that the service was disrupted starting at 6:04 AM and was restored at 11:34 PM. It began to be affected again this Saturday at 6:25 AM, with a higher incidence in the central-eastern region due to high transfers to that area.
At 7:00 AM, the availability of the National Electroenergetic System (SEN) was 1795 MW, and the demand was 1900 MW, resulting in a shortfall of 140 MW due to generation deficit. By midday, the impact is expected to reach 600 MW.
Four units from the thermoelectric plants Santa Cruz, Felton, and Renté are out of service. Additionally, four more blocks from the thermoelectric plants Santa Cruz, Cienfuegos, and Renté are undergoing maintenance.
In addition, 49 distributed generation plants and the truck in Santiago de Cuba are out of service due to a lack of fuel, affecting a total of 382 MW.
The limitations in thermal generation are 284 MW.
Frequently Asked Questions about the Energy Crisis in Cuba
What is the main cause of blackouts in Cuba?
The main cause of blackouts in Cuba is a significant shortage in electrical generation capacity, resulting from multiple breakdowns in thermal power plants and a lack of fuel for distributed generation. This situation is further exacerbated by the maintenance of units and damage to the electrical networks caused by weather events such as hurricanes.
Which power plants are currently affected in Cuba?
Currently, several thermal power plants in Cuba are experiencing malfunctions, including unit 5 of the Mariel Thermoelectric Power Plant, unit 2 of the Felton Thermoelectric Power Plant, and units 3 and 6 of the Renté Thermoelectric Power Plant. Additionally, other units are undergoing maintenance, such as those at the Santa Cruz, Cienfuegos, Nuevitas, and Boca de Jaruco plants, which further restricts the country's electricity generation capacity.
How does the lack of fuel affect electricity generation in Cuba?
The lack of fuel in Cuba has rendered 37 distributed generation power plants out of service, significantly impacting the response capacity of the National Electricity System (SEN). This fuel shortage contributes to the generation deficit and the widespread blackouts the country is experiencing.
What measures is the Cuban government taking to address the energy crisis?
The Cuban government has attempted to partially incorporate some thermal power plants and restore areas affected by breakdowns. However, these measures have not been sufficient to resolve the energy crisis facing the country, and the lack of fuel remains a critical barrier to a short-term solution.
How is the energy crisis affecting the Cuban population?
The energy crisis in Cuba is severely impacting the daily lives of Cubans, causing widespread frustration and irritation due to ongoing power outages. The lack of electricity affects the quality of life, leading to food wastage and increasing despair, which is evident in protests and demonstrations against the regime in various regions of the country.
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