Related videos:
The National Electric System (SEN) is going through a critical situation following the shutdown of the Antonio Guiteras power plant, the largest and most important in the country.
As a result, Cubans experienced constant blackouts over the last 24 hours, with a record peak impact of 1,775 MW recorded at 6:40 PM on February 4th, coinciding with the time of highest demand.
The worst part is that, according to the daily report from the Electric Union (UNE), the forecast does not improve much for today, as the expectation is 1,630 MW.
At 7:00 AM on February 5th, the SEN reported a capacity of 1,470 MW, while the demand reached 2,350 MW, resulting in a shortfall of 911 MW at that time.
It is estimated that during midday, this figure will increase to 1,350 MW.
In addition to the Antonio Guiteras thermoelectric plant in Matanzas, three other units are out of service: Unit 3 of the Santa Cruz thermoelectric plant, Unit 5 of the Nuevitas thermoelectric plant, and Unit 2 of the Felton thermoelectric plant.
Five other units are currently under maintenance: unit 2 from CTE Santa Cruz; units 3 and 4 from CTE Cienfuegos; unit 1 from CTE Felton; and unit 5 from CTE Renté.
Impact on generation and forecast for the night
The limitations in thermal generation reach 160 MW, while the lack of fuel has taken 54 distributed generation plants out of service, affecting an additional 342 MW.
For peak hours, it is expected to recover 150 MW in distributed generation motors and add 70 MW with the commissioning of Unit 5 of the CTE Nuevitas. However, the situation will still be serious.
The estimated availability during peak hours is 1,685 MW, and the expected maximum demand is 3,250 MW, resulting in an energy deficit of 1,560 MW.
With these conditions, the forecasted impact during peak hours is expected to be 1,630 MW, lower than yesterday but still very high.
The Electric Company of Havana, for its part, informed its customers that "given the capacity deficit in the National Electric System, it is necessary to affect the electric service to the customers in the capital associated with Blocks #1 and #2 during the hours of 10:00 am to 3:00 pm."
The entity added that in the afternoon hours, Block #4 will be affected from 3:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. Additionally, from 6:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m., Block #3 will be affected, if necessary.
No obstante, the provinces in the interior of the country continue to suffer the most severe power outages, a recurring complaint among thousands of affected individuals, who criticize that the capital receives preferential treatment compared to the rest.
Electric companies and provincial governments in various territories have reported that, due to the significant deficit, they are unable to continue with "the established planning."
"The schedules with and without electrical service will depend on the increase in demand and the availability of generation in the National Electroenergetic System," concluded a statement published in Las Tunas.
The shutdown of the Antonio Guiteras thermoelectric power plant from the National Electric System shortly after seven in the evening on Monday—just 24 hours after it had returned to the SEN following another breakdown—triggered a crisis that had already been looming due to ongoing malfunctions and a lack of fuel.
It is unclear when the Guiteras will return to the National Electric System (SEN). 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 be reconnected to the SEN.
Filed under: