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The Electric Union (UNE) has forecasted for this Wednesday blackouts amounting to 1,870 MW, a record figure that highlights the electricity generation crisis on the island.
The outage of Felton 1 from the National Electric System (SEN) this Tuesday, which according to the latest update will be out of service for about 20 days, has complicated the already troubled situation.
Yesterday, six thermal power units were out of service in Cuba, a figure that has now risen to nine.
The electrical service was affected this Tuesday starting at 5:12 a.m. and remained that way throughout the early morning.
The highest recorded impact on this February 11 was also extremely high: 1,736 MW at 6:40 p.m. This value is significantly higher than the 1,460 MW that the UNE had forecasted for outages yesterday.
At 7:00 a.m. on Wednesday, the generation availability was 1,390 MW, while the demand reached 2,300 MW, resulting in an immediate deficit of 987 MW at that hour.
It is expected that by noon the impact will increase to 1,250 MW.
Currently, the SEN is facing malfunctions in four thermoelectric units: Unit 3 at the CTE Santa Cruz, Unit 6 at Renté, and Units 1 and 2 at the CTE Felton.
Five more units are currently under maintenance. They are: unit 2 from CTE Santa Cruz, units 3 and 4 from CTE Cienfuegos, unit 6 from Nuevitas, and unit 5 from CTE Renté.
The limitations in thermal generation amount to 250 MW.
Due to a lack of fuel, a total of 57 distributed generation plants are out of service, affecting 407 MW.
They are also affected by 90 MW in the Melones branch and 30 MW in the Regla branch, totaling 527 MW out of service through that route.
Forecast for peak hours
The Electric Union states that by tonight, the integration of 100 MW from unit 6 of the Nuevitas Thermal Power Plant is expected, which is currently in the startup process.
However, the projected availability during peak consumption hours is 1,490 MW, compared to an estimated maximum demand of 3,290 MW.
This circumstance would generate a forecast of 1,870 MW during the nighttime hours.
Scheduled blackouts in Havana
Given the critical situation of the SEN, the Electric Company of Havana has announced scheduled service interruptions for this Wednesday:
Blocks #3 and #4: From 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.
Block #2: From 3:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.
Block #1: From 6:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m.
Desperation is growing among Cubans
The lack of electricity has become a daily nightmare affecting the food supply, rest, and quality of life for thousands of families.
"Everything is inhumane, nothing notes what is happening"; "Not a day goes by without disruption, this is for life, they try to adapt you until they ruin you just like that," "Preparing the activity for the total blackout"; "In the end, it would be better to disconnect the country already"; "Every day we move forward, but it's like going back to the Stone Age"; "The minister explains very well, but what he explains doesn't provide any power," were some of the opinions among the wave of comments from Cubans desperate about the situation.
Citizens are also reporting the social impact of the crisis: from food that spoils to children and the elderly who cannot eat or sleep due to the lack of electricity, the abandonment is absolute.
"Who is going to pay for the food of those people that is going to waste?"; "They are killing us little by little", pointed out two other outraged Cubans.
The anguish blends with a tone of resignation and sarcasm, as users mockingly comment on the imminent arrival of a 2,000 MW deficit: "Let’s go for more."
For many, the lack of electricity is just another symptom of a crumbling system. Discontent grows when considering the authorities' inability to resolve the crisis.
The lack of equitable planning in energy distribution is another recurring complaint.
"If you were to create an equal planning for the entire island, the suffering would be less," lamented another citizen, pointing out that there are areas, like Havana, where power outages are less frequent.
For many, the country is heading towards another massive blackout, given the instability of the National Electric System (SEN).
Despair is evident among those who have lived through decades of crisis and see how the situation worsens without a clear way out.
"I was born into the blockade, and at the rate I'm going, I'm going to die with that little word echoing in my ears," wrote a Cuban, refuting the official narrative that the energy crisis is due to external factors.
Frequently Asked Questions about Power Outages in Cuba
What is the reason for the recurring blackouts in Cuba?
Power outages in Cuba are primarily due to a deficit in electricity generation. This situation is caused by breakdowns in several thermoelectric units, lack of proper maintenance, and fuel shortages, which prevents meeting the country's energy demand.
What are the consequences of blackouts for the Cuban population?
Power outages severely affect the quality of life for Cubans. They interrupt daily activities such as cooking and using household appliances, and they also impact essential services like healthcare and food preservation. This situation generates frustration and discontent among the population.
What measures is the Cuban government taking to address the energy crisis?
The Cuban government has not implemented effective long-term solutions to address the energy crisis. Promises of improvement have not materialized, and the authorities have failed to stabilize the electricity supply, leaving the population in a situation of uncertainty and growing discontent.
How does the lack of fuel impact electricity generation in Cuba?
The lack of fuel significantly exacerbates the energy crisis in Cuba. This situation has taken many distributed generation plants out of service, contributing to the electrical generation deficit and worsening blackouts throughout the country.
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