Power outages in Cuba continue relentlessly. This Monday, May 6, the country's energy deficit reached a peak of 1,730 MW at 9:50 PM, according to report from the Unión Eléctrica (UNE), which caused disruptions throughout the day and extended into the early hours of Tuesday.
The deficit was worsened by the unexpected shutdown of unit 3 of the Cienfuegos Thermoelectric Power Plant (CTE), which, combined with the planned shutdown of the Antonio Guiteras CTE in Matanzas, raised the figures above projections and led to an even more severe collapse of the National Electric System (SEN).
At 07:00 hours this Tuesday, the availability of the National Electric System (SEN) was 1,695 MW, while the demand reached 2,800 MW, with 1,210 MW affected by capacity deficit. For noon, the UNE estimates an impact of 1,380 MW, which could increase due to instability in generation.
The outlook for peak hours is alarming once again: a maximum demand of 3,380 MW is anticipated, with an availability of only 1,875 MW, resulting in a deficit of 1,505 MW and an estimated impact of 1,575 MW, if the predicted conditions persist.
The system remains strained due to multiple failures: unit 3 of the CTE Cienfuegos -which underwent comprehensive maintenance for over three months and recently synchronized with the SEN- and unit 2 of the CTE Felton are still out of service. Additionally, five other units are undergoing maintenance, which significantly reduces generation capacity.
On the other hand, 72 distributed generation plants are offline due to a lack of fuel, causing an additional impact of 545 MW. Although a partial recovery is anticipated with 80 MW from diesel and the commissioning of unit 6 in Nuevitas with 100 MW, these measures will not be sufficient to cover the total deficit.
The situation leaves millions of Cubans in suspense, as they endure long hours without electricity amid rising temperatures and daily challenges.
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