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The National Electrical System (SEN) of Cuba continues to be immersed in a critical crisis with ongoing service disruptions over the past 24 hours.
This Sunday, the Electric Union (UNE) reported an estimated generation deficit of 1,766 megawatts (MW), along with extensive blackouts across the country.
The situation worsened with the unexpected departure of several key units from the thermoelectric system, including Unit 1 from the Felton thermoelectric plant (CTE), whose disconnection significantly increased the impacts since Saturday.
This was joined by unit 5 of CTE Nuevitas, which was also out of service the previous day, further complicating the national energy situation.
Accumulated failures across the country
According to the issued by UNE, an ongoing impact was recorded on Saturday, which extended into the early hours of Sunday.
The maximum impact occurred at 8:50 PM, with a deficit of 1678 MW, a figure that greatly exceeded what was planned, highlighting a worsening of the technical situation of the SEN.
At 7:00 am this Sunday, the energy availability was only 1450 MW, compared to a demand of 2500 MW, which caused an immediate shortfall of 928 MW. By mid-morning, a shortfall of 1350 MW is expected.
For the peak evening hours, the situation is expected to be much worse: the estimated demand is 3,350 MW, while the availability would barely reach 1,654 MW, with a projected deficit of 1,696 MW and an impact of up to 1,766 MW.
Main causes: breakdowns, maintenance, and lack of fuel
The UNE specified that currently several units are out of service due to breakdowns. In addition to the two from the Felton and Nuevitas power plants, unit 5 of the Mariel power plant is also not operating.
Three other units from the thermoelectric plants Santa Cruz, Cienfuegos, and Renté are also undergoing maintenance.
In addition to breakdowns and scheduled maintenance, the fuel shortage and lack of lubricants continue to seriously impact distributed generation.
In total, there are 77 plants out of service due to a lack of fuel, which represents a loss of 490 MW, plus an additional 54 MW in the Patana de Regla.
This is in addition to 82 MW that are unavailable due to a lack of lubricants, bringing the total unavailable energy to nearly 630 MW solely for logistical reasons.
Solar energy: a limited contribution
Amid the collapse, the eight new photovoltaic solar parks contributed 923.6 MWh of generation on Saturday, a figure insufficient to alleviate the enormous shortcomings of the SEN, which relies heavily on traditional thermal generation.
discouraging forecast
Despite efforts to incorporate 150 MW in distributed generation engines currently inactive due to a lack of fuel, the forecast for the coming hours does not provide relief.
The UNE anticipates that the disruptions will continue throughout the day this Sunday, likely extending into the following days if the out-of-service units are not restored.
The entry to the boiler of CTE Felton 1, scheduled for this Sunday, could provide more information on the extent of the damage suffered, although there are still no specific timelines for its reentry into the system.
The people, in suspense
Meanwhile, thousands of Cubans continue to deal with widespread blackouts, interruptions in the water supply, disruptions in transportation, and the spoilage of refrigerated food and medications.
Complaints on social media and independent platforms have increased, reflecting citizens' frustration with an energy system that shows no signs of relief and an immediate future without clear solutions.
With a generation that is increasingly fragile, aging infrastructure, and a serious logistical crisis, the SEN finds itself, once again, at an extremely critical juncture.
Frequently Asked Questions about the Energy Crisis in Cuba
What is the main cause of blackouts in Cuba?
The energy crisis in Cuba is primarily caused by breakdowns in thermal power plants, scheduled maintenance, and a lack of fuel. Additionally, aging infrastructure and a shortage of resources exacerbate the situation of the National Electric System (SEN), leading to massive blackouts across the country.
What impact do power outages have on the daily lives of Cubans?
Power outages severely impact the daily lives of Cubans, interrupting the supply of water, transportation, and causing the deterioration of refrigerated food and medicine. Citizen frustration is evident in complaints and protests, as the energy crisis poses a constant challenge for the population.
What solutions are being implemented to address the energy crisis in Cuba?
Currently, the Electric Union of Cuba (UNE) is trying to reintegrate units out of service and increase distributed generation. However, these measures are insufficient to solve the problem in the long term. The authorities also advocate for a transition to renewable energy sources, although their contribution remains limited in the national energy matrix.
What role do renewable energies play in the Cuban energy crisis?
Renewable energies, such as solar, contribute a limited amount of energy to the National Electric System (SEN). Despite the commissioning of new photovoltaic solar parks, their production is insufficient to cover the current energy deficit, especially during peak consumption hours.
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