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Power outages in Cuba have surged following the recent disconnection of the Antonio Guiteras thermoelectric plant from the National Electric System (SEN) due to a malfunction.
If on Monday the deficit forecasted by the Electric Union (UNE) was 1,545 MW, for this Tuesday the figure rises to 1,714 MW during peak hours.
The day before, the service was disrupted for 24 hours and remained that way throughout the early hours of today. The peak impact was 1536 MW at 6:10 PM.
According to the statement from UNE, at 7:00 am this Tuesday, there were 871 MW affected. By noon, it is estimated that this could reach 1300 MW.
The Guiteras is not the only thermal power plant out of order. There are also breakdowns in three blocks of the Santa Cruz, Nuevitas, and Felton plants. Additionally, five units from the Santa Cruz, Cienfuegos, Felton, and Renté thermal power stations are undergoing maintenance.
On the other hand, there are limitations in thermal generation in the order of 151 MW.
Additionally, 58 distributed generation plants and four engines in the Patana de Regla are out of service due to fuel issues, resulting in a total of 376 MW affected by this cause.
"With this forecast, a capacity of 1706 MW is expected during peak hours and a maximum demand of 3350 MW, resulting in a deficit of 1644 MW. If the anticipated conditions persist, an impact of 1714 MW is predicted during this time," the note details.
La Guiteras, the largest and most important power plant in Cuba, disconnected from the system again on Monday, after only 24 hours of being connected. The outage occurred at 7:39 PM and the cause was a leak in the boiler, one of its most frequent breakdowns.
Rubén Campos Olmos, the general director of the plant, revealed that the unit could synchronize with the SEN next Friday, if the damage is not severe.
"In the event that it is not a major break in the water walls [of the boiler], the possibility of resuming operations during peak demand hours on Friday could be preliminarily estimated," he specified.
Campos Olmos stated that after detecting the malfunction, they proceeded to cool down the boiler for inspection and to address the repair. He added that other corrective tasks will be carried out with the support of crews from the Electric Power Plant Maintenance Company.
The central thermal power plant in Matanzas had synchronized with the national electric system at 4:48 PM on Sunday, after ceasing operations that same morning due to a failure in the control supply at a nearby substation.
Frequently Asked Questions about Blackouts in Cuba and the Antonio Guiteras Power Plant
Why have blackouts surged in Cuba?
Blackouts in Cuba have surged due to the disconnection of the Antonio Guiteras thermoelectric power plant, which is the largest and most important plant in the country. The disconnection occurred due to a boiler malfunction, resulting in a significant deficit in electricity generation capacity, affecting supply nationwide.
What is the impact of the disconnection of the CTE Antonio Guiteras on Cuba's electrical system?
The disconnection of the CTE Antonio Guiteras has caused a power generation deficit of up to 1714 MW during peak hours. This plant is crucial for the National Electric System (SEN) of Cuba, and its removal from the system has worsened the energy crisis, leading to continuous and prolonged blackouts in various regions of the country.
What measures are being taken to address the breakdowns at the Antonio Guiteras thermoelectric plant?
The General Director of Antonio Guiteras, Rubén Campos Olmos, has stated that inspections and cooling of the boiler are being carried out to repair the malfunction. In addition, brigades from the Electric Power Plant Maintenance Company have been deployed to assist with corrective tasks, aiming to reintegrate the plant into the SEN as soon as possible.
What are the main causes of the energy crisis in Cuba?
The energy crisis in Cuba is due to a combination of breakdowns in thermal power plants, lack of maintenance, and fuel shortages. The regime's investment decisions, which prioritize the tourism sector over electrical infrastructure, have also contributed to this critical situation, which is manifested in frequent and prolonged blackouts.
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