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A new fault detected at the Antonio Guiteras Thermoelectric Power Plant (CTE) in Matanzas has delayed its synchronization with the National Electric System (SEN), originally scheduled for this Friday.
According to the general director of the plant, Rubén Campos Olmos, who spoke to the newspaper Girón, during a hydraulic test, a fault was identified in the right side wall of the boiler, at the height of the third level of burners.
“It gets a bit more complicated because we have to assemble a structure to reach up to 20 meters in height, where the problem is,” he detailed.
Repair work began at 7:00 a.m. today and is expected to take about ten hours.
Once completed, a new hydraulic test will be conducted to verify that there are no more leaks before proceeding with the ignition.
Campos Olmos noted that there were already suspicions about the possible emergence of failures due to the nature of the breakdown.
"When the boiler experiences a shutdown of this nature, it often develops cracks at certain points due to high-temperature stresses. These stresses are transmitted through the structure and ultimately impact the weaker pipes. That’s why we’ve always said that the hydraulic test is crucial. If we hadn't detected this failure, we would already have two burners in service," he explained.
With this new setback, the Guiteras will not be able to start operations during the peak evening electricity period as expected, but its synchronization may occur towards dawn this Saturday.
In contrast, the executive reported that unit one of the CTE Felton managed to start its boiler, which is good news for the system.
"When Felton is online, it reduces the blackout by nearly five hours; Guiteras amounts to six hours," clarified Campos Olmos.
The outage of the Antonio Guiteras thermoelectric plant from the National Electric System shortly after seven o'clock in the evening on Monday -just 24 hours after returning to the SEN following another breakdown- was the trigger for a crisis that had already been developing due to constant failures and a lack of fuel.
It is important to note that this is the largest and most significant thermoelectric plant in the country. Its disconnection from the System in October and December of 2024 caused massive blackouts that plunged the Cuban people into complete darkness.
Forecast of blackouts for today in Cuba
The energy situation in Cuba remains critical despite the fact that the forecast for power outages today is 1,436 MW.
During yesterday's outage, the service was interrupted for a continuous 24 hours, extending into the early morning hours of today. The highest recorded impact was 1,678 MW at 6:40 p.m., a figure that exceeded the 1,575 MW projected by the Electric Union (UNE).
Seven thermal power units are out of service due to breakdowns or maintenance, two fewer than yesterday.
Currently, CTE Guiteras and unit 2 of CTE Felton are out of service due to breakdowns.
Units 2 of the Santa Cruz CTE; 3 and 4 of the Cienfuegos CTE; 1 of the Felton CTE; and 5 of the Renté CTE are under maintenance.
Meanwhile, several municipalities in Havana woke up this Friday without electrical service due to an Automatic Frequency Discharge (DAF) incident.
The Electric Company of Havana reported on the situation through its Telegram channel, where they assured that it is a protective measure that activates when the frequency of the electrical system reaches critical levels, jeopardizing the stability of the National Electric System (SEN).
Frequently Asked Questions about the Antonio Guiteras Power Plant and the Energy Crisis in Cuba
What problem prevented the synchronization of the CTE Antonio Guiteras with the National Electric System?
A malfunction in the right side wall of the boiler was the reason for the delay in the synchronization of the CTE Antonio Guiteras with the National Electric System. This malfunction was detected during a hydraulic test and complicated the repair process due to its location at a height of 20 meters.
How does the shutdown of the CTE Guiteras affect the Cuban electrical system?
The exit of the CTE Antonio Guiteras from the national electric system worsens the blackout conditions in Cuba. This plant is the largest and most important generating unit in the country, and its disconnection causes a significant deficit in electricity generation capacity, resulting in prolonged blackouts.
What are the recurring causes of breakdowns at the Antonio Guiteras Power Plant?
The breakdowns at the CTE Antonio Guiteras are mainly due to issues with the boiler, such as leaks, cracks, and valve malfunctions. These recurring failures are associated with the obsolescence of the infrastructure and the lack of proper maintenance at the plant.
What actions are being taken to address the energy crisis in Cuba?
To confront the energy crisis, the Cuban government has implemented extended maintenance on thermoelectric plants and is developing new renewable energy projects, such as photovoltaic parks. However, the situation remains critical, and power outages are expected to continue until significant improvements are made to the energy infrastructure.
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