Cuban authorities announced this Saturday that the Antonio Guiteras Thermoelectric Power Plant, the largest generator in the country, has synchronized with the National Electric System (SEN).
A report from Cuba's Electric Union (UNE) celebrated the event that took place at 3:01 PM, and added that the synchronized block was gradually increasing its power.
"The Block is currently , and it is expected to reach 200 MW during the peak hours of the night," stated the UNE.
In its statement, it also announced that the CTE Nuevitas 6 also synchronized with the SEN this Saturday and went online at 1:00 PM.
"Both machines provide 300 MW to the country and help reduce generation capacity time," they assured.
Last Monday, the Guiteras left the SEN for scheduled maintenance, according to officials.
Despite the plant's entry into the National Electric System (SEN), this Saturday the Electric Union (UNE) reported that they will continue to face a critical energy deficit situation.
At 7:00 AM this Saturday, the availability of the National Electric System (SEN) was just 1,810 MW compared to a demand of 2,840 MW, resulting in a capacity deficit of 1,089 MW. By noon, a deficit of 1,040 MW is expected.
The main incidents of the system include the outage due to a malfunction of unit 2 of the Felton thermoelectric plant (CTE), as well as maintenance tasks on four other generating units at the CTE Santa Cruz, Cienfuegos, Guiteras, and Renté.
Additionally, the UNE reports 397 MW out of service due to thermal limitations, and a significant additional impact due to a lack of fuel, which keeps 65 distributed generation plants non-operational, with an estimated loss of 458 MW.
For the peak nighttime hours, a partial recovery is forecasted with the startup of Guiteras (200 MW), the commissioning of unit 6 at the Nuevitas CTE (100 MW), and the recovery of 70 MW from diesel plants currently offline due to lack of fuel.
Still, the estimated availability will be 2,180 MW compared to a maximum demand of 3,350 MW, resulting in a deficit of 1,170 MW. The UNE forecasts an impact of up to 1,240 MW during that time period.
Despite the inauguration of 11 new photovoltaic solar parks in the country, which contributed 1,131 megawatt hours (MWh) to the system, the contribution is still insufficient to alleviate the overall deficit.
Frequently Asked Questions about the Electrical Situation in Cuba
What is the current status of the Antonio Guiteras Thermal Power Plant?
The Antonio Guiteras Thermoelectric Power Plant has been re-synchronized to the National Electric System (SEN) after undergoing planned maintenance. However, the energy situation remains critical due to a generation deficit.
How does the current energy situation affect the Cuban population?
The Cuban population is being severely affected by prolonged blackouts due to an energy deficit of over 1,000 MW. This situation causes power outages in several provinces, impacting essential services such as hospitals and educational centers.
What are the main causes of the energy deficit in Cuba?
The energy deficit in Cuba is primarily due to a lack of maintenance in thermal power plants, fuel shortages, and an outdated electrical system. These conditions have led to frequent breakdowns and an inability to meet the demand for electricity.
What measures are being taken to mitigate power outages in Cuba?
Currently, the Electric Union of Cuba is working on synchronizing plants like Antonio Guiteras and Nuevitas to increase generation capacity. However, these measures have not been sufficient to eliminate blackouts due to infrastructure and fuel limitations.
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