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The Antonio Guiteras thermal power plant, located in Matanzas, is scheduled for general maintenance at the end of 2025. This key action aims to ensure its efficiency and boost its generation capacity to over 280 megawatts.
The official journalist José Miguel Solís announced on his Facebook profile that the energy block, which reached a production of over 1.8 million megawatts in 2024, will undergo its first in-depth review in years, according to statements from Román Pérez Castañeda, the technical deputy director of the plant.
Despite the extensive general maintenance and the precarious state of the National Electroenergetic System (SEN), Guiteras has proven to be one of the most efficient installations in the country, with a specific fuel consumption of 238 grams per kilowatt-hour and an energy input that barely exceeds six percent.
Pérez highlighted the performance of the plant as an "achievement," attributing it to the use of national oil and its technical design. However, he acknowledged that there is a clear need for capital maintenance, particularly to improve its operational capacity and optimize its long-term performance.
Furthermore, he stated that the necessary resources and funding have been secured for this intervention, a claim that stands in stark contrast to the regime's history, marked by unmet promises and challenges in executing infrastructure projects within the proposed timelines.
Optimistically, Pérez Castañeda explained that the work will include structural repairs and the implementation of improvements, aiming for the plant to face the country's energy challenges more efficiently.
In 2024, the plant operated for 323 days, demonstrating its strategic importance in national thermal generation, despite its current limitations.
La Guiteras, which began operating with Cuban oil in 2002, will conclude a cycle of more than two decades with this general maintenance, presented as an opportunity to renew and stabilize one of the country's energy pillars. However, doubts remain about its effective execution, given that the country is experiencing one of the worst economic crises in its history.
At the beginning of last December, the National Electric System (SEN) completely collapsed due to an unexpected shutdown of the country's largest thermoelectric plant, the Antonio Guiteras in Matanzas. This incident highlighted the serious technical vulnerabilities of the plant, whose instability directly impacts the already fragile energy generation capacity of the country.
Last October, a similar incident occurred when the Guiteras power plant went offline, leading to a collapse of the National Electric System that impacted the country for several days.
Frequently Asked Questions about the Antonio Guiteras Power Plant and the Energy Crisis in Cuba
Why is the Antonio Guiteras Thermoelectric Power Plant important for Cuba?
The Antonio Guiteras Thermal Power Plant is crucial for the Cuban energy system due to its high generation capacity. Its continuous operation is vital for mitigating blackouts in a region with high electricity demand, helping to reduce power supply interruptions across the country.
What problems is the Antonio Guiteras Thermal Power Plant facing?
The Antonio Guiteras Thermal Power Plant is facing maintenance issues and frequent technical failures, such as malfunctions in the valve control system and gas leaks. These problems have hindered its continuous operation and contributed to the instability of the Cuban electric system.
How does the situation at Guiteras affect the Cuban population?
The instability of the Antonio Guiteras Thermoelectric Power Plant directly impacts the Cuban population by causing prolonged and frequent blackouts. These outages limit access to essential services such as electricity, water, and food, increasing frustration and social discontent, especially during periods of high energy demand.
What measures are being taken to improve the energy situation in Cuba?
The Cuban government has promised to improve the energy situation through repairs and maintenance at thermal power plants, including Guiteras. There have been attempts to implement microsystems and acquire fuels and supplies, but so far, these efforts have not been sufficient to effectively resolve the crisis.
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