The National Electric System (SEN) of Cuba continues to face a critical energy deficit situation, as confirmed by the Electric Union (UNE) in its daily report.
On the previous day, disruptions were recorded throughout the 24 hours, with a peak of 1,571 megawatts (MW) at 8:40 PM, although this did not coincide with the time of maximum demand.
At 7:00 AM this Saturday, the availability of the National Electric System was only 1810 MW against a demand of 2840 MW, resulting in a capacity deficit of 1089 MW. By midday, a deficit of 1040 MW is anticipated.
The main incidents of the system include the outage due to a malfunction of unit 2 at the Felton thermoelectric plant (CTE), as well as maintenance tasks on four other generating units at the Santa Cruz, Cienfuegos, Guiteras, and Renté thermoelectric plants.
Additionally, the UNE reports 397 MW out of service due to thermal limitations, along with a significant additional impact due to a lack of fuel, which keeps 65 distributed generation plants out of operation, with an estimated loss of 458 MW.
For the peak nighttime hours, a partial recovery is forecasted with the startup of the CTE Guiteras unit (200 MW), the commissioning of unit 6 at the CTE Nuevitas (100 MW), and the recovery of 70 MW from diesel plants currently shut down due to a lack of fuel.
Even so, the estimated availability will be 2180 MW against a maximum demand of 3350 MW, which would result in a deficit of 1170 MW. The UNE anticipates an impact of up to 1240 MW during that time.
On the other hand, the 11 new photovoltaic solar parks in the country contributed 1,131 megawatt-hours (MWh) to the system, an insufficient contribution to alleviate the overall deficit.
Scheduled blackouts in Havana
The Electric Company of Havana announced staggered power outages by time blocks and areas.
According to the official schedule, the power outages in the capital will be as follows:
Block #2: from 10:00 am to 3:00 pm
Block #1: from 11:00 am to 4:00 pm
Block #3: from 4:00 pm to 8:00 pm
Starting at 7:00 PM, Block 5 will be affected, followed by Block 4 from 8:00 PM.
The service will be gradually restored between 11:00 PM and 12:00 AM, according to the order of impact.
Frequently Asked Questions about Blackouts in Cuba
Why are there blackouts in Cuba currently?
Power outages in Cuba are the result of a critical energy deficit, exacerbated by breakdowns in thermoelectric units, maintenance of plants, thermal limitations, and a severe shortage of fuel. These structural problems have left the National Electric System (SEN) operating on the brink of collapse.
What is the energy deficit that Cuba faces?
Cuba faces an energy deficit exceeding 1,500 MW, with peaks reaching up to 1,766 MW. This deficit worsens during peak nighttime hours, when demand significantly exceeds the available generation capacity.
What measures is Cuba taking to address the energy crisis?
Currently, the measures focus on the rationalization of consumption and the gradual incorporation of renewable sources, although these still do not represent a significant percentage in the national energy matrix. No definitive short-term solutions have been announced.
How do blackouts affect daily life in Cuba?
Blackouts severely impact the daily lives of Cubans, hindering basic activities such as cooking, using appliances, and preserving food and medications. They also disrupt the functioning of essential public services and economic activity.
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