Cuba continues to face serious problems in its electrical system, with blackout outages exceeding 1,300 MW, impacting thousands of homes and services across the country.
According to the latest report from the Electric Union issued for this Wednesday, March 19, the situation of the National Electric Power System (SEN) remains critical, with energy availability failing to meet high demand.
On Tuesday, the service was partially restored at 11:56 PM, but the outage resumed at 6:35 AM today. By 8:00 PM, the peak impact reached 1,344 MW, coinciding with the time of maximum demand.
The energy production from the new photovoltaic solar parks, such as those at the Nursing School in Havana and Alcalde Mayor in Cienfuegos, helped to alleviate the situation somewhat. In total, they generated 294 MWh, which exceeded the planned amount by 110 MWh.
However, that contribution remains insufficient in the face of the system's demands.
At 7:00 am, the availability of the SEN was only 1,820 MW, while the demand was 1,950 MW, resulting in a deficit of 180 MW. By mid-morning, it is expected that the impact will reach 750 MW, further worsening the situation.
The causes of the energy collapse are diverse, with several generation units out of service due to breakdowns or maintenance. Unit 5 of the Nuevitas thermoelectric plant and Unit 2 of Felton are experiencing failures, while five blocks at the Mariel, Santa Cruz, Cienfuegos, and Renté thermoelectric plants are undergoing maintenance.
In addition, 74 distributed generation plants, with 391 MW affected, are non-operational due to a lack of fuel.
The forecast for the peak consumption is alarming. It is estimated that the energy availability will be only 1,915 MW compared to a maximum demand of 3,150 MW, resulting in a deficit of 1,235 MW and predicting an impact of 1,305 MW during that period.
The situation remains serious, and the population continues to deal with long periods without electricity, impacting both the daily lives of citizens and the operation of hospitals and other essential services.
The lack of investment in energy infrastructure, along with the instability of generating units, continues to be the main factors exacerbating this crisis that has been ongoing for several years.
Frequently Asked Questions about the Energy Crisis in Cuba
What is the current situation of the electrical system in Cuba?
The electrical system in Cuba is in a critical situation, with blackouts exceeding 1,300 MW. Energy availability is insufficient to meet demand, impacting thousands of homes and essential services across the country.
What are the causes of power outages in Cuba?
Power outages in Cuba are due to a combination of factors: breakdowns in thermoelectric plants, maintenance of generating units, and lack of fuel. These conditions have rendered several units out of service, worsening the energy crisis.
What measures is the Cuban government taking to address the energy crisis?
The Cuban government has implemented scheduled power cuts and is prioritizing electricity supply for essential services such as hospitals. However, these measures have not been sufficient to resolve the situation, and the population continues to face prolonged blackouts.
How does the energy crisis affect the Cuban population?
The energy crisis severely impacts the daily lives of Cubans, with long periods without electricity complicating essential activities such as cooking, using appliances, and food preservation. Additionally, it affects the operation of essential services like hospitals.
What are the expectations for the recovery of the electrical system in Cuba?
The recovery of the electrical system in Cuba faces significant challenges due to a lack of investment in infrastructure and the instability of generating units. No short-term solutions have been announced to stabilize the electricity supply in the country, leaving the population in a state of uncertainty.
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