On Friday, Cuba experienced another day marked by prolonged blackouts due to the severe electricity generation deficit affecting the country.
According to the report issued this Saturday by the Electric Union (UNE), the National Electric System (SEN) experienced a shortfall of 1601 megawatts (MW) during the night on Friday, a figure higher than planned and despite not even coinciding with the peak demand hour.
The state entity detailed that the main cause of the increase in the deficit was the unexpected shutdown of the Antonio Guiteras Thermal Power Plant (CTE), one of the key units for energy supply in the western part of the country.
At 7:00 a.m. this Saturday, the total availability of the National Electric System (SEN) was only 1650 MW, compared to a national demand estimated at 2810 MW. This resulted in a capacity deficit of 1183 MW, with forecasts indicating it could worsen to 1200 MW by noon.
Currently, three thermoelectric units are out of service due to malfunctions: the unit from the CTE Guiteras, unit 5 of the CTE Nuevitas, and unit 2 of the CTE Felton.
This is complemented by the scheduled maintenance in other key facilities, such as units 2 and 3 in Santa Cruz, unit 4 in Cienfuegos, and unit 5 in Renté.
These issues result in an additional limitation of 256 MW in the thermal generation on the island, which has been experiencing a severe energy crisis for months.
The situation is equally critical in distributed generation. A total of 47 plants are out of service due to a lack of fuel, resulting in a loss of 369 MW. Additionally, 86 MW are inactive due to a lack of oil, and another 64 MW are out at the Melones site, adding up to a total of 519 MW unavailable in this segment.
The electricity situation in Cuba remains critical, with daily and prolonged outages severely impacting daily life and the country’s economic activities.
Frequently Asked Questions about the Current Energy Crisis in Cuba
What is the main cause of blackouts in Cuba?
The main cause of power outages in Cuba is the severe deficit in electricity generation, which is due to multiple breakdowns in thermal power plants, scheduled maintenance, and a critical shortage of fuel. These factors have led to insufficient energy availability to meet the country's demand, resulting in prolonged electrical service interruptions.
What impact do blackouts have on the daily lives of Cubans?
The blackouts severely impact the daily lives of Cubans, affecting both domestic activities and basic services as well as family economics. Power outages lead to lack of access to water, spoilage of refrigerated food and medicines, interruptions in transportation and public services, creating an atmosphere of uncertainty and desperation among the population.
What measures is the Cuban government taking to address the energy crisis?
The Cuban government has tried to mitigate the energy crisis by incorporating solar parks and plans to increase the use of renewable energy. However, these measures have proven insufficient due to the deep structural crisis of the electrical system, which remains dependent on fossil fuels and has been affected by years of inadequate investment and maintenance.
What are the projections for the electricity supply in Cuba in the coming days?
The projections for electricity supply in Cuba in the coming days remain discouraging. It is expected that disruptions will continue due to ongoing breakdowns, scheduled maintenance, and a lack of fuel, indicating that blackouts will remain a part of daily life for citizens.
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