Electric plant in Trinidad aims to regain its capacity with new Chinese engine

The fuel oil power plant in Trinidad, located in the province of Sancti Spíritus, is attempting to restore its operational capacity with the installation of a "new" motor manufactured in China. However, this measure comes at a time when the government itself has confirmed that blackouts will continue throughout the summer, without structural solutions in the short term.

The engine, with a capacity of 3.85 megawatts (MW), arrived in the country as a replacement and will be installed by foreign technicians, as explained by the plant's director, Ernesto Núñez Torrado, in statements reported by the official media Cubadebate on May 23.

The equipment, which includes a generator weighing around 53 tons, requires adjustments to the structural foundations of the plant and additional parts for its assembly, so the installation could take over three months.

Currently, the Trinitaria plant generates only 50% of its designed capacity, operating with just two engines. With the addition of new equipment and the capital repair of another one of equal power, it is expected to reach the original 15 MW by September, according to a report by CentroVisión Yayabo.

Additionally, with the support of a battery of diesel generators of equal capacity, the total contribution to the provincial system would be 30 MW.

Is 30 MW enough for Sancti Spíritus?

Although this figure may seem significant, 30 MW is far from sufficient to meet the total energy demand of the province, which could exceed 100 MW during peak hours, according to general estimates. Sancti Spíritus has a population close to 460,000 inhabitants, with consumption distributed among households, critical infrastructure, tourism, and productive sectors.

For reference, 1 MW can supply between 800 and 1,000 average households. That is, the 30 MW generated by this plant could simultaneously cover around 24,000 to 30,000 households, but they do not guarantee a stable electricity supply at the provincial level. Additionally, this energy is also allocated to hospitals, industries, schools, and state entities. Ultimately, this effort provides partial relief but does not address the underlying issue, and its impact on the national electricity system is marginal.

An island in the shadows: the energy crisis does not stop

This is compounded by the fact that the national energy situation is critical. On May 27, the official newspaper Trabajadores acknowledged that power outages will continue during the months of July and August, with a daily deficit exceeding 1,500 MW, as confirmed by Lázaro Guerra Hernández, General Director of Electricity at the Ministry of Energy and Mines (MINEM).

The official explained that the available generation for the summer will be just 1,935 MW, compared to a projected demand of up to 3,500 MW. This difference will lead to daily outages of at least four hours per customer, although in practice, they tend to be more extensive and frequent.

Meanwhile, the government has presented a recovery plan of 500 MW in three years, based on national thermal generation and renewable sources. The promise was announced on the official program Mesa Redonda, generating outrage and skepticism among citizens, both inside and outside the country.

“In three years, there won't be a single Cuban with mental health”, lamented a user on social media. Another comment was more blunt: “If they haven't done it in 65 years, they won't do it in three”. The reactions reflect the social exhaustion in light of years of unfulfilled promises and the structural collapse of the Cuban electric system.

"New engine, old crisis."

Although the Trinidad plant represents a temporary relief, its production is not directly allocated to the municipality; instead, it contributes to the National Electroenergetic System (SEN), and only supplies locally in special situations, as clarified by the director of the facility.

The authorities have emphasized the construction of solar parks and "thorough" maintenance of thermoelectric plants, but none of this addresses the root of the problem: technological obsolescence, lack of real investment, fuel shortages, and disorganization within the system.

The leader Miguel Díaz-Canel acknowledged that the electrical system is "in serious condition", although he reiterated on the social media platform X that "it's not impossible" to overcome it, once again blaming the U.S. embargo and restricted access to resources.

Meanwhile, Cubans are facing nighttime blackouts, extreme heat, shortages of water and cooking gas, with no certainties or real solutions in sight.

Frequently Asked Questions about the Energy Crisis in Cuba and the Trinidad Power Plant