The Atonio Guiteras Thermoelectric Power Plant, the largest generating unit in the country, synchronized with the National Electric System (SEN) on Saturday afternoon, after having been out of service due to a malfunction.
La Unión Eléctrica reported on its social media at 4:42 PM that the CTE was "online with the SEN."
On Friday morning, the unit unexpectedly went offline from the National Electrical System due to a leak in the condenser, as confirmed by sources from UNE.
The technicians began urgent work with the intention of bringing it back online in less than 24 hours. However, the attempt to restart in the early hours of Friday failed. A second malfunction prevented the system from starting, which forced the equipment to be halted once again.
The Antonio Guiteras, the country's main thermal power plant, had not managed to stabilize its operation this Saturday following a series of failures recorded in the last 48 hours.
Despite the fact that on Friday afternoon the authorities reported that the fault had been repaired that took it out of the SEN, it took time to synchronize.
This Saturday, during the startup process, a malfunction occurred in one of the feed pumps, the technicians explained to the press. They stated that the new breakdown would take between six to eight hours to resolve.
However, an earlier version provided by the Electric Union (UNE) stated that the original fault involved a break in the drive assembly of the alternating current motor of the Regenerative Air Heater, and it had already been resolved.
Without the Guiteras, Cuba experienced another day on Friday marked by extended blackouts due to the severe deficit in electricity generation affecting the country.
According to the report issued this Saturday by the Unión Eléctrica (UNE), the National Electric System (SEN) recorded an impact of 1,601 megawatts (MW) during the night of Friday, a figure that exceeds the planned amount and occurred even though it did not coincide with the peak demand period.
Currently, the situation is 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 down at the Melones platform, totaling 519 MW unavailable in this segment.
In that scenario, it is estimated that during peak demand hours this Saturday, there will be an impact of 1,570 MW.
Frequently Asked Questions about the Antonio Guiteras Power Plant and the Energy Crisis in Cuba
Why did the Antonio Guiteras thermoelectric plant disconnect from the National Electric System?
The Antonio Guiteras thermoelectric plant was disconnected from the National Electric System due to a leak in the condenser. This type of malfunction is common and reflects the technical fragility of the plant, which faces recurring problems due to its aging infrastructure and lack of proper maintenance.
What is the impact of the failures at the Antonio Guiteras thermoelectric plant on Cuba's electricity supply?
The failures at the Antonio Guiteras thermoelectric plant significantly contribute to the energy deficit in Cuba, causing prolonged blackouts in various regions of the country. The plant is one of the main sources of electricity generation, and its disconnection exacerbates the already critical situation of the national electrical system.
What measures has the Cuban government taken to address the current energy crisis?
The Cuban government has promised investments to modernize infrastructure and restore generation capacity, including the purchase of mobile generation units. However, the credibility of these promises is limited, and the population continues to face prolonged blackouts with no clear short-term solutions.
What social consequences has the energy crisis had in Cuba?
The energy crisis has generated growing social unrest in Cuba, with protests in several cities due to prolonged power outages. The population is increasingly frustrated with the lack of transparency and the unfulfilled promises from the authorities regarding improvements to the electricity supply.
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