Cuba's Electric Union announces severe blackouts for this Friday

The provinces in the central and eastern regions will be the most affected by the high energy transfers to that area.

Matanzas en apagón (Imagen de referencia) © Facebook / VIVE Matanzas-Cuba ciudad mágica
Matanzas in blackout (Reference image)Photo © Facebook / VIVE Matanzas - Cuba, a magical city

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Cuba's Electric Union (UNE) forecasted severe blackouts for this Friday due to a generation shortfall, with a maximum impact of 1,311 MW.

According to the report from the entity, at 7:00 AM, 395 MW were affected, and by noon, it is estimated that this figure will rise to 800 MW, with the greatest impact in the central-eastern region due to high energy transfers to that area.

During peak hours, a capacity of 1909 MW is anticipated against a demand of 3150 MW, potentially resulting in a shortfall of up to 1311 MW.

Facebook capture / Electric Union UNE

On Thursday, the service was disrupted starting at 4:58 AM, with a peak impact of 1,301 MW at 6:10 PM. It was restored at 12:58 AM but began to be affected again at 4:58 AM today.

Two units of the Felton and Renté power plants are out of service. Additionally, four more units from the Santa Cruz, Cienfuegos, and Renté thermal power plants are still undergoing maintenance.

Facebook Capture / Electric Company of Artemisa

In addition, 66 distributed generation plants are out of service due to a lack of fuel, including the Moa plant, five engines at the Melones cradle, and another four at the Regla cradle, totaling 646 MW affected by this issue.

The limitations in thermal generation are 323 MW.

Frequently Asked Questions About Blackouts in Cuba

Why are there blackouts in Cuba?

Power outages in Cuba are primarily caused by a deficit in electricity generation, due to malfunctions in several thermal power plants and a lack of fuel. These limitations impact the country's ability to meet electricity demand, resulting in constant service interruptions.

What is the magnitude of the current electricity deficit in Cuba?

The electricity deficit in Cuba is significant, reaching up to 1,311 MW according to forecasts for this Friday. This shortfall is attributed to the unavailability of several generation units and a lack of fuel at distributed power plants, severely impacting the country's electricity supply capacity.

How do power outages impact the daily life of Cubans?

Power outages severely impact daily life in Cuba, interrupting essential activities such as cooking and using household appliances. This situation generates frustration and discontent among the population, affecting both personal well-being and the country’s economy.

What measures is the Cuban government taking to address the power outages?

The Cuban government has not implemented effective long-term solutions to address the energy crisis. Promises of improvement have not materialized, and the response has been insufficient, leaving the population in a state of uncertainty and growing discontent.

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CiberCuba Editorial Team

A team of journalists dedicated to reporting on current events in Cuba and global topics of interest. At CiberCuba, we strive to provide accurate news and critical analysis.