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The Electric Union of Cuba (UNE) has announced a critical situation in the National Electric System (SEN) with severe repercussions expected for this Monday, due to a generation deficit exceeding 1,400 MW. The situation, communicated through social media and national television, highlights the deep issues facing the country's electrical sector just before the Christmas Eve celebrations.
Report from the UNE for December 22 and 23, 2024
According to the official statement, the electrical service was affected since 6:10 AM on Sunday due to a generation capacity deficit. The highest impact recorded was 1,442 MW at 6:10 PM, coinciding with peak demand. Although service was partially restored at 10:43 PM, interruptions resumed at 5:19 AM on Monday, significantly impacting the central-eastern region due to high energy transfers to that area.
In the morning report, the UNE indicated that at 07:00 hours, the generation availability was 1,612 MW compared to a demand of 1,940 MW, resulting in a deficit of 430 MW. By noon, the estimated impact had increased to 800 MW, with the main challenges persisting in the central and eastern regions of the country.
Causes of the energy deficit
The statement also outlines the main causes of the current crisis. Several generating units remain out of service, including unit 2 of the Felton Thermoelectric Plant and units 3 and 6 of the Renté Thermoelectric Plant. Other units, such as unit 8 of the Mariel Thermoelectric Plant and unit 2 of the Santa Cruz Thermoelectric Plant, are under maintenance, along with units 3 and 4 of the Cienfuegos Thermoelectric Plant and unit 5 of the Renté Thermoelectric Plant. These outages and maintenance issues amount to restrictions of 263 MW.
Additionally, distributed generation faces serious constraints due to a lack of fuel, leaving 73 plants inactive with a capacity of 482 MW, along with 66 MW out of service at the CDE Moa. Unit 1 of the Felton CTE is operating limited to 125 MW to ensure the completion of fuel levels in the receiving tank, affecting an additional 95 MW. Overall, these factors contribute to an additional 643 MW of disruptions.
Forecast for today
For the peak hours this Tuesday, the UNE estimates a capacity of 1,777 MW compared to a projected maximum demand of 3,120 MW. This will result in a deficit of 1,343 MW, with an anticipated impact of up to 1,413 MW if current conditions persist. The commissioning of unit 8 at the CTE Mariel, contributing 70 MW, and the completion of unit 1 at the CTE Felton, adding another 95 MW, are expected to help mitigate the impact during the nighttime hours.
Impact on the population
Prolonged blackouts severely impact the daily activities of Cubans, especially in the lead-up to the Christmas holidays. The interruption of electricity makes essential tasks such as food preparation, product preservation, and family gatherings more challenging. On social media, citizens express their frustration over the lack of long-term solutions to the energy crisis.
Expectations and Challenges
The UNE has highlighted that the recovery of the SEN will depend on the completion of maintenance and the availability of resources for repairs. However, the current outlook suggests that disruptions will continue to impact the population in the coming weeks. Meanwhile, Cubans are preparing to face a Christmas Eve filled with uncertainty, seeking alternatives to mitigate the effects of power outages.
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