The electrical crisis in Cuba continues with no signs of improvement as summer approaches. According to the information note published this Thursday, May 16, by the Electric Union (UNE), the electrical service was affected throughout the entire previous day and into the early hours of today. The highest reported impact was 1506 megawatts (MW) at 8:50 PM, coinciding with peak demand hours.
Current state of the SEN
At 07:00 hours on this 16th of May, the National Electric System (SEN) had a capacity of 1885 MW against a demand of 2870 MW, resulting in an impact of 1056 MW due to capacity deficit. By noon, an impact of 1080 MW is anticipated.
Main incidents
- Damage: Unit 2 of the Felton CTE.
- Maintenance: Units 2 and 3 of the Santa Cruz Power Plant, unit 4 of the Cienfuegos Power Plant, unit 5 of the Nuevitas Power Plant, and unit 5 of the Renté Power Plant.
- Thermal limitations: 293 MW out of service.
- Problems due to lack of fuel.
- Impact on 66 distributed generation plants with 500 MW.
- Of these, 215 MW are committed due to lack of oil in the distributed generation engines.
- Total affected by this cause: 715 MW.
Forecast for peak hours
For the peak hours this Thursday, the UNE estimates a recovery of 50 MW in diesel plants currently out of service due to a lack of fuel. However, the projected balance remains critical: a availability of 1935 MW is expected against a maximum demand of 3350 MW, which would create a deficit of 1415 MW. If these conditions persist, the impact could reach 1485 MW during that time.
The 12 new photovoltaic parks produced 1,285 megawatt-hours (MWh) during the day, although their contribution remains insufficient to offset the generation crisis.
With the arrival of warmer weather and the increase in energy demand, the forecasts from the Electric Union are not promising, and all signs point to blackouts continuing to affect the population in the coming days.
Frequently Asked Questions about the Electric Crisis in Cuba
What is the current situation of the electric system in Cuba?
The electrical system in Cuba is in a deep crisis with constant blackouts due to a significant generation deficit. Currently, demand greatly exceeds the available generation capacity, leading to prolonged and widespread outages across the country.
What are the main causes of blackouts in Cuba?
The main causes of power outages are breakdowns in thermal power plants, maintenance of several units, and a lack of fuel, which affects distributed generation plants. The electrical infrastructure is deteriorating, and the scarcity of resources exacerbates the situation.
What measures is the Cuban government taking to address the electrical crisis?
The Cuban government has attempted to incorporate renewable sources, such as solar energy, and has reported on maintenance and repairs of plants. However, these measures have not been sufficient to resolve the crisis, and the population continues to suffer from recurring blackouts.
How do power outages affect the Cuban population?
Blackouts severely impact the quality of life for Cubans, disrupting daily activities and basic services. The lack of electricity also affects the economy and creates an atmosphere of frustration and uncertainty among the population.
Filed under: