Amid one of the most severe energy crises Cuba has faced in recent years, the authorities of the Ministry of Energy and Mines (Minem) announced on Wednesday that the Antonio Guiteras thermal power plant (Matanzas) and Felton 1 (Holguín) will have to go out of service before summer, as part of urgent maintenance work to prevent major breakdowns during the months of highest demand.
The information was confirmed by Lázaro Guerra Hernández, the Electricity Director of Minem, who stated that the interventions will be brief, aiming to reduce technical risks, as reported by the official newspaper Granma.
However, he warned that the CTE Guiteras could go out of service again at the end of the year, this time for major maintenance, which could further jeopardize the already fragile national electrical system.
According to official data, Cuba is currently experiencing prolonged daily blackouts, with impacts exceeding 1,600 MW during peak hours, amid a situation characterized by a lack of fuel, high levels of consumption, and limited generation capacity.
The island currently has 1,993 MW of installed capacity in thermoelectric plants, but it is expected that by July only about 1,120 MW will be available, a figure that could rise slightly in August.
Moreover, more than 17 million household and motorized appliances were imported between 2018 and 2024, which has consistently increased the national electricity demand. This phenomenon, combined with high temperatures and the deterioration of the infrastructure, has led to the collapse of electrical transformers, as recently happened in Havana, where 10 collapsed in a single day.
In parallel with the critical thermal situation, the government is promoting the installation of photovoltaic solar energy, although this alone does not replace the thermal power lost since 2019.
It is anticipated that by January 2026, 51 solar parks with a total capacity of 1,115 MW will be operational. However, experts warn that solar generation is not consistent; it depends on weather conditions and does not provide stability to the system. Thus, efforts are being made to develop hybrid solutions with energy storage and distributed generation engines.
The goal for this summer, according to the authorities, is to reduce electrical outages to an average of 4 hours per customer per day. To achieve this, they are focusing on increasing generation by 13 GWh daily and keeping consumption growth under control.
However, the departure of key figures such as Guiteras and Felton generates uncertainty among the Cuban population, already affected by long power outages, shortages of liquefied gas for cooking, and increasing pressure on the electrical grid.
Meanwhile, the rehabilitation of thermal blocks such as Felton 2, Mariel 7, Nuevitas 4, and Renté 4 continues, although their total recovery could take up to two and a half years and will require an investment of over 70 million dollars.
In a context of energy crisis, Cubans are facing a challenging summer with more blackouts on the horizon.
The imminent shutdown of the Guiteras and Felton plants highlights the urgent need for investments and structural repairs.
Frequently Asked Questions about the Energy Crisis in Cuba and the Maintenance of Thermal Power Plants
Why must the Guiteras and Felton thermoelectric plants cease operations before summer?
The Guiteras and Felton thermoelectric plants must shut down before summer for urgent maintenance work. These interventions aim to prevent more serious breakdowns during periods of high electricity demand. The situation is worsened by the energy crisis that Cuba is experiencing, with prolonged blackouts and limited generation capacity.
What is the current situation of the electrical system in Cuba?
The electrical system in Cuba is facing an unprecedented crisis, characterized by prolonged blackouts and a significant generation deficit. Currently, the impacts exceed 1,600 MW during peak hours, exacerbated by a lack of fuel, high consumption, and widespread deterioration of the energy infrastructure.
What measures is the Cuban government taking to address the energy crisis?
The Cuban government is promoting the installation of photovoltaic solar energy as part of long-term solutions. However, this energy is not sufficient to replace the lost thermal power. Efforts are also being made on hybrid solutions with accumulators and distributed generation engines to stabilize the system. Additionally, there are plans to reduce electrical outages to an average of 4 hours per customer per day during the summer.
How does the shutdown of the Guiteras and Felton plants affect the Cuban electrical system?
The shutdown of the Guiteras and Felton plants creates uncertainty and could increase blackouts in Cuba. These plants are key units for the electrical system, and their downtime for maintenance could further jeopardize the already fragile energy stability of the country, especially in a context of high demand and resource scarcity.
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