UNE rectifies and increases the uncertainty: The state-owned company cannot set a date for the reintegration of the Guiteras

The Antonio Guiteras Thermal Power Plant (CTE), the largest and most efficient in Cuba, faces new uncertainty regarding its reintegration into the National Electric System (SEN), following the recent breakdown that took it offline.

Unlike previous estimates published on his Facebook profile, the official journalist José Miguel Solís reported this Tuesday that it is still not possible to determine the exact time when the plant will resynchronize with the SEN.

According to statements from engineer Rubén Campos Olmos, the state-owned company has begun corrective work on the boiler with the support of specialized brigades from the Electric Power Plants Maintenance Company.

The executive had suggested in Solís's previous publication that the block could rejoin the SEN this Friday, depending on the severity of the malfunction.

"Depending on the assessment of the damage and the time required for the solution, indicated Campos Olmos, we will be able to ensure the exact moment of the unit's entry," reflected Solís in his latest publication.

However, a detailed inspection of the inside of the boiler is still required to assess the extent of the damage and determine how long the repair will take.

"The immense boiler, the only pressurized one in the Electric Union, began to cool down from the moment of disconnection, and preparations are being made to evaluate and restore the damage with the speed and requirements demanded by the system," explained Campos Olmos.

The new statements from the executive leave any predictions up in the air, increasing uncertainty about the stability of the Cuban electrical system in the coming days.

A history of recurring breakdowns

The CTE Antonio Guiteras has been one of the plants most affected by technical issues in recent years. Since 2022, it has experienced frequent disconnections due to boiler failures, which have directly impacted the stability of the National Electric System and electricity generation in the country.

Among the most recent events, the shutdown in October 2024, which caused a widespread blackout in Cuba stands out. In January 2025, the plant was disconnected again due to a boiler failure, contributing to the energy crisis affecting the island.

The lack of proper maintenance and the obsolescence of the infrastructure have turned Guiteras into a critical point in the Cuban electrical system. As long as the UNE cannot ensure its stable and safe reintegration, the outlook for blackouts will remain uncertain for the population.

History of disconnections at Guiteras due to boiler breakdowns (2022-present)

Since 2022 to the present, Guiteras has experienced several disconnections from the SEN due to malfunctions in its boiler. Below are some of the most significant incidents detailed:

- August 2022: The Guiteras left the SEN due to a boiler malfunction that was causing excessive water consumption. After identifying and repairing the point of failure, the plant was ready to generate approximately 215 MW.

- September 2022: The plant swas disconnected again due to a leak in the boiler. A cooling time of approximately 30 hours was estimated before starting maintenance work.

- November 2022: The SEN went offline due to a boiler failure, a situation that had occurred on previous occasions.

- June 2023: After more than three months of maintenance, the Guiteras , which removed it once again from the national electrical system. A social media user pointed out that the boiler is the biggest issue with the Guiteras. "It is proven that everything 'fails' at its weakest point. In this case, it doesn’t matter how much is done to the other systems; the boiler is the major problem, and the more robust the other systems are made, the weaker the boiler will be," he argued.

- August 2023: The Guiteras left the SEN to address defects that affected its stability and performance, including water overconsumption and issues with the boiler.

- September 2023: The plant went offline due to a boiler malfunction, just three days after a previous issue was resolved.

- March 2024: After a breakdown, the plant resynchronized with the SEN. The disconnection occurred less than 24 hours after a planned maintenance shutdown, and was attributed to “an issue with the boiler and a steam leak in a turbine measurement element.”

- October 2024: An unexpected failure of the Guiteras led to a total disconnection of the SEN, leaving the country in a widespread blackout. Although the specific causes were not detailed, this event highlighted the vulnerability of the national electrical system, amid the contingency of Hurricane Oscar.

- November 2024: The plant faced a gas leak in the boiler area, which limited its generation capacity and highlighted ongoing technical issues.

- January 2025: The thermoelectric plant was disconnected again due to a boiler failure, worsening the situation of blackouts on the island.

These incidents reflect recurring issues with the boiler at the CTE Antonio Guiteras, significantly impacting the stability of the electricity supply in Cuba.