The Electric Union of Cuba (UNE) reported this Friday that the Antonio Guiteras thermoelectric power plant, located in the city of Matanzas, could be reintegrated into the National Electroenergetic System (SEN) in the early hours of the morning, after abruptly going offline due to a technical fault.
According to the official note published on social media, the plant went out of operation at 12:31 p.m. due to a failure in the Regenerative Air Heater (CAR B), a vital component for the thermal efficiency of the electricity generation process.
The breakdown was identified as a rupture in the drag group of the alternating current motor, which became uncoupled from the coupling that transmits movement to the system.
The UNE assured that it has the technical resources and qualified personnel to carry out the necessary repairs, and that the work began immediately. "It is expected that the unit will be back in service by early this morning," stated the state-owned company in its announcement.
La Guiteras, regarded as the plant with the highest unit capacity in the country, is crucial for sustaining Cuba's fragile electrical grid.
Her departure represents a severe blow to the SEN, which is already facing deficits exceeding 1,500 megawatts and daily blackouts in all provinces.
Experts warn that these types of failures highlight the vulnerability of the system and its dependence on a few aging and overloaded plants.
Engineer Jorge Gómez Sánchez, production director of Guiteras, explained that the location of the faulty component facilitates technical intervention, which allows for an optimistic outlook for reactivation. Nevertheless, the situation underscores the urgency for a structural transformation of the energy sector in Cuba.
The Cuban government has promised to recover over 500 MW in the next three years and to achieve, by 2030, an energy matrix with 70% of generation from national fuels and 24% from renewable sources. However, these goals still seem distant for a population that struggles daily with prolonged power outages and increasing levels of frustration.
Until the Guiteras is re-synchronized with the SEN, the electrical grid will operate under extreme pressure, and blackouts are expected to continue in various regions of the country.
Frequently Asked Questions about the Antonio Guiteras Thermal Power Plant and the Electric System in Cuba
When will the Guiteras Thermoelectric Power Plant rejoin the National Electric System?
The Guiteras Thermoelectric Power Plant is expected to reintegrate into the National Electric System (SEN) early in the morning. The plant ceased operations due to a technical malfunction, but the Cuban Electric Union assures that repair work began immediately and that they have the necessary technical resources.
What was the cause of the last breakdown at the Guiteras Thermoelectric Plant?
The failure was caused by a fault in the Regenerative Air Heater (CAR B). Specifically, a break was identified in the drive assembly of the alternating current motor, which decoupled from the coupling that transmits motion to the system.
Why is the situation of the National Electric System in Cuba so critical?
The situation of the National Electric System (SEN) in Cuba is critical due to the reliance on aging and overloaded plants like Guiteras, which leaves a significant deficit in electricity generation when it goes offline. Additionally, the outdated infrastructure and fuel shortages exacerbate the situation, resulting in daily blackouts across all provinces.
What measures is the Cuban government taking to improve the energy situation?
The Cuban government has promised to recover more than 500 MW in the next three years and to achieve, by 2030, an energy matrix with 70% generation from national fuels and 24% from renewable sources. However, these goals still seem distant, as the population continues to struggle with prolonged power outages.
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