The energy crisis affecting Cuba is worsening this Thursday, with disruptions in the electricity supply that, according to official data, will continue throughout the day due to a severe generation capacity deficit.
In its daily report, the Cuban Electric Union (UNE) announced that on Wednesday, April 2, power outages were recorded throughout the 24 hours, with a maximum impact of 1,518 MW at 8:20 p.m., coinciding with the peak demand.
During the early hours of this Thursday, April 3rd, interruptions continued. The generation capacity of the National Electric Power System (SEN) at 7:00 a.m. was 1,975 MW, against a demand of 2,800 MW, which resulted in an immediate shortfall of 860 MW.
At midday, a deficit of 950 MW is expected. Among the factors exacerbating the situation is the outage due to a malfunction of unit 2 of the Felton Thermoelectric Power Plant (CTE), as well as scheduled maintenance on five other generating units: unit 2 of the Santa Cruz CTE, units 3 and 4 of the Cienfuegos CTE, and units 3 and 5 of the Renté CTE.
The limitations in thermal generation reach 464 MW, and another 70 distributed generation plants remain out of service due to a lack of fuel, which accounts for 485 MW less for the system.
The projection for the peak hour, one of the most critical times of the day, anticipates a demand of 3,450 MW and a supply that would remain at 1,975 MW. This implies an estimated deficit of 1,475 MW and a forecasted impact of up to 1,545 MW.
In Havana, the Electric Company announced a scheme of rotating blackouts by blocks for this Thursday.
Customers in block #4 will be affected between 10:00 a.m. and 2:00 p.m., while block #3 will experience outages from 11:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. Subsequently, block #1 will be affected until 7:00 p.m., and finally, block #2 will be impacted between 7:00 p.m. and 10:00 p.m.
The energy production from the eight new photovoltaic solar parks was barely 997 MWh, a figure insufficient to alleviate the crisis.
Blackouts continue to negatively affect the quality of life for Cubans, impacting both household activities and basic services as well as family economy.
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 is causing prolonged blackouts throughout the country. This situation is due to insufficient generation capacity to meet the national energy demand.
What factors contribute to the energy crisis in Cuba?
The main factors contributing to the energy crisis in Cuba include the breakdown of thermoelectric units, scheduled maintenance, and the lack of fuel. Limitations in thermal generation and the fuel shortage have rendered many distributed generation plants inoperative, exacerbating the electrical deficit.
How do power outages affect the daily lives of Cubans?
Power outages significantly impact the quality of life for Cubans, making everyday activities like cooking and using appliances more difficult. Additionally, they affect basic services and family economies, generating frustration and social discontent.
What measures are being taken to resolve the energy crisis in Cuba?
Despite some efforts to integrate renewable energy, the current measures of the Cuban government are insufficient to address the energy crisis. Effective long-term solutions have not been implemented, and the electrical infrastructure remains deteriorated, which perpetuates prolonged blackouts.
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