The Electric Union of Cuba (UNE) acknowledged that this weekend has been chaotic, with blackouts throughout the country and failures to adhere to the scheduled service interruptions due to insufficient generation capacity.
According to the daily report published by UNE, this Saturday, the service was affected for 24 hours and remained so throughout the early hours of this Sunday. The highest impact occurred at 7:20 PM, when it rose to 1,617 MW.
However, in a report broadcasted by the state-run Canal Caribe, the general director of Electricity at the Ministry of Energy and Mines, Lázaro Guerra Hernández, expressed satisfaction that the impact was 1,617 megawatts and not 1,700, as initially forecasted.
"The demand came below what we had anticipated, which resulted in the impact decreasing to 1,617 megawatts at 7:20 PM," he said.
In some provinces, electricity service was provided for between three to six hours, such as in Cienfuegos and Sancti Spíritus, where the service was affected due to a generation capacity deficit over the 24-hour period.
This Sunday, the availability of the SEN at 7:00 was 1,900 MW, and the demand was 2,500 MW, with 650 MW affected by capacity deficit, resulting in an impact of 950 MW during daytime hours.
For the day of highest consumption, on the other hand, a availability of 1,857 MW is estimated, with a maximum demand of 3,300 MW, resulting in a deficit of 1,443 MW. Therefore, if the anticipated conditions persist, it is forecasted that there will be an impact of 1,513 MW during this time.
The executive from the UNE explained that there are two units out of service, four undergoing maintenance, and a significant lack of fuel, which exacerbates the deficit.
"Still, we are facing a significant level of unavailability due to a lack of diesel fuel in distributed generation, although it's a little better than what we experienced in previous days, which was extremely high. However, the impact or unavailability in distributed generation due to the lack of diesel fuel remains substantial," he stated.
In total, there are 90 distributed generation plants out of operation due to a lack of fuel, and together they represent 656 MW.
The Electric Company of Sancti Spíritus and the one in Santiago de Cuba reported on Sunday the inability to meet demand.
In the first instance, they warned that the province is at the "maximum manageable level", meaning that the planned rotation cannot be established "until the conditions of the National Electric System allow it."
We do not need a schedule for the restoration of the circuits. Once the service time is restored, it will take between 1 and 2 hours," they wrote on Telegram.
In Cienfuegos, on the other hand, blackouts are practically universal, due to the simultaneous maintenance of both units at the local thermoelectric plant "Carlos Manuel de Céspedes" and a severe fuel deficit affecting distributed generation.
The province has faced deficits of up to 80 megawatts in recent days, a figure they consider "extreme," since the maximum stoppable amount under normal conditions is 85 megawatts, including essential services. When a deficit of 80 megawatts is reached, almost all of Cienfuegos is left without electricity, except for a few exceptions.
Public outrage has reached critical levels following repeated failures to adhere to the blackout schedule. In Havana, despite the publication of informational notices through their social media and official channels, citizens reported premature blackouts, unexpected extensions of outages, and an unequal distribution of the impacts.
The blackouts, which were supposed to follow established time blocks, have been disrupted without prior notice, increasing the frustration and anger of users overwhelmed by energy poverty.
Frequently Asked Questions about the Energy Crisis in Cuba
What is the main cause of blackouts in Cuba?
The main cause of blackouts in Cuba is a significant deficit in electric generation capacity, due to multiple failures in thermal power plants and a lack of fuel for distributed generation. This situation is exacerbated by the maintenance of units and the poor state of the electrical infrastructure.
What measures is the Cuban government taking to address the energy crisis?
The Cuban government has attempted to partially incorporate some thermoelectric units and restore areas affected by failures, but these measures have not been sufficient to resolve the energy crisis the country is facing. The lack of fuel continues to be a critical obstacle for a short-term solution.
How is the energy crisis affecting the Cuban population?
The energy crisis in Cuba is severely affecting the daily lives of Cubans, generating widespread frustration and annoyance due to the ongoing blackouts. The lack of electricity impacts the quality of life, leading to wasted food and a growing sense of hopelessness, which is reflected in protests and demonstrations against the regime in various regions of the country.
What are the implications of the fuel shortage on electricity generation in Cuba?
The lack of fuel in Cuba has rendered numerous distributed generation plants inoperable, significantly impacting the response capacity of the National Electric System (SEN). This fuel shortage contributes to the generation deficit and the widespread blackouts experienced by the country.
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