Cuba continues to be engulfed in a prolonged scenario of blackouts due to a significant deficit in electrical generation, as reported this Wednesday by the Electric Union in its official update on the situation of the National Electric System (SEN).
During Tuesday, the service was affected for 24 hours and the interruption continued throughout the early morning today.
The highest impact was recorded at 8:20 PM with a total of 1,629 MW, coinciding with peak demand hours. This figure turned out to be higher than the planned 1,580 due to consumption exceeding the forecast.
The note specifies that the availability of the SEN at 7:00 am was 1,910 MW, while the demand reached 2,895 MW, resulting in a capacity deficit of 1,143 MW. By noon, it is estimated that the impact will reach 1,250 MW.
Among the factors exacerbating the crisis is the breakdown of unit 2 at the Felton thermoelectric power plant (CTE) and ongoing maintenance work on five units at the Santa Cruz, Cienfuegos, and Renté CTEs.
In addition, the limitations in thermal generation are calculated at 384 MW.
In the distributed generation sector, 74 power plants are out of service due to a lack of fuel, affecting a total of 460 MW.
Despite the addition of eight new photovoltaic solar parks, which contributed 958 MWh on the last day, the generation crisis persists.
For the peak evening hours, a supply of 1,910 MW is expected against a projected maximum demand of 3,400 MW, resulting in a deficit of 1,490 MW. If these conditions persist, the impact is forecasted to be around 1,560 MW during that time.
The Electric Company of Havana, for its part, announced a schedule of planned outages for the capital due to the critical situation of the National Electric System.
Block #1 will be affected from 10:00 AM to 2:00 PM, while Block #2 will be affected from 11:00 AM to 3:00 PM. Subsequently, the outage will rotate to Block #4 until 7:00 PM.
Finally, block #3 will experience interruptions from 7:00 PM to 10:00 PM.
The Cuban population continues to face daily difficulties due to this energy situation, which is far from finding a definitive solution, while the authorities are unable to devise strategies to mitigate the impact of prolonged blackouts.
Frequently Asked Questions about the Energy Crisis in Cuba
What is the current electricity generation deficit in Cuba?
The current electricity generation deficit in Cuba exceeds 1,500 MW, which has led to prolonged blackouts across the country. The demand for electricity significantly surpasses the available generation capacity, exacerbating the energy crisis.
What are the causes of power outages in Cuba?
Power outages in Cuba are caused by the shutdown of several thermal power units due to breakdowns and maintenance, as well as by the lack of fuel affecting distributed generation plants. These limitations prevent the country from adequately meeting its electricity demand.
What impact do power outages have on the daily lives of Cubans?
The blackouts severely impact the daily life of Cubans, complicating essential activities such as food preparation, the use of appliances, and food preservation. They also generate frustration and social discontent due to the uncertainty regarding the duration of the crisis.
What measures is the Cuban government taking to address the energy crisis?
The Cuban government has sought to promote solar energy as part of the solution, announcing the incorporation of new photovoltaic solar parks. However, experts warn that these measures are insufficient to address the structural crisis of the electrical system, and the lack of investment and maintenance in thermoelectric plants remains a serious issue.
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