After more than three months out of service, unit 3 of the Carlos Manuel de Céspedes thermoelectric plant in Cienfuegos was reconnected to the National Electric System (SEN) at 7:35 p.m. this Thursday, the entity itself reported through its official Facebook page.
The plant has been offline since the beginning of the year due to a turbine failure, which has impacted its generation capacity, according to reports from official sources such as the Cubadebate portal.
The note states that during this period, technical brigades from various provinces in the country worked on the repair tasks, which successfully concluded this week.
The technical director of the center, Juan Bravo Núñez, explained that after achieving synchronization of unit 3, the staff's efforts will now focus on unit 4, which requires a comprehensive modernization of its boiler to ensure greater stability in generation.
According to the regime, this reintegration represents "a partial relief" for the Cuban electrical system, which is facing a severe energy crisis due to constant breakdowns and lack of maintenance in its infrastructure.
Cubans, who endure blackouts lasting up to 20 hours, claim that the regime is hiding the fact that it lacks the fuel to ensure service. Others assert that the energy crisis has become a mechanism of state control.
The day before, for example, on a date marked by parades, slogans, and patriotic choreography, the Electric Union of Cuba (UNE) announced a reduction in the electric generation deficit that sounded almost miraculous: after weeks in which the country endured blackouts exceeding 1,500 and even 1,800 megawatts of daily impact, the official forecast for Thursday's peak hours dropped below 1,200 MW.
According to the official report issued by the state company, the availability of the National Electric System (SEN) at 7:00 a.m. was 1,985 MW against a demand of 2,450 MW, with 550 MW affected by capacity deficit. For this Friday, the impact has risen again.
Frequently Asked Questions about the Cienfuegos Thermal Power Plant and the Energy Crisis in Cuba
Why was the Cienfuegos thermoelectric plant out of service?
The Cienfuegos thermoelectric plant was out of service due to a malfunction in the turbine of unit 3, which affected its generation capacity. Additionally, unit 4 also requires a comprehensive upgrade of its boiler to improve stability in electricity generation.
What does the synchronization of Unit 3 to the National Electric System (SEN) mean?
The synchronization of Unit 3 of the Cienfuegos thermoelectric plant to the National Electric System means that the plant can once again contribute energy to the country's electrical system. This action represents a partial relief for the current energy crisis, although the generation deficit remains significant.
How does the current energy crisis affect the Cuban population?
The energy crisis is severely affecting the Cuban population, which is facing prolonged blackouts of up to 20 hours a day. These blackouts interrupt essential services such as water and gas supply, in addition to hindering communications and access to information.
What solutions has the Cuban government proposed for the energy crisis?
The Cuban government has promised to repair the units of the Cienfuegos thermoelectric plant and other facilities to increase generation capacity. However, these promises have not yielded significant results, and the lack of fuel and maintenance remains a critical issue.
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