Cuba continues to face a complex energy crisis, characterized by recurrent failures in its National Electric System (SEN), whose generation capacity is insufficient to meet the country's growing electricity demands.
The disruptions in electrical service have been a constant issue in recent years, and citizens have had to cope with prolonged power outages that affect both households and productive sectors.
In this context, the Electric Union (UNE) has issued an informational report detailing the current status of the National Electric System (SEN) and forecasts for the near future.
On Saturday, the system had a challenging day, with interruptions affecting the service for 24 hours, which continued throughout the early hours of this Sunday, June 8th.
According to the report from Unión Eléctrica (UNE), the highest impact of the day occurred at 10:50 PM, reaching a deficit of 1493 MW, coinciding with the peak demand hour.
Current Status of the National Electric System (SEN)
As of 7:00 AM today, the SEN had a capacity of 1990 MW available, while the demand reached 2800 MW, resulting in a shortfall of 850 MW due to a capacity deficit. For the midday period, it is expected that the shortfall will increase to 970 MW.
Main reported incidents:
Unit 2 of the Felton thermoelectric plant has experienced technical failures, which has reduced its generation capacity.
Due to scheduled maintenance, four units of the Mariel, Santa Cruz, Cienfuegos, and Renté power plants are out of service.
Thermal limitations: A total of 399 MW are out of service due to thermal issues at various plants.
Fuel-related issues:
70 distributed generation plants are out of service due to a lack of fuel, resulting in a loss of 570 MW.
An additional 92 MW are affected due to a lack of oil in the engines of the distributed generation units.
The total impact from these issues amounts to 662 MW.
Forecast for peak hours
It is expected that during peak hours, the availability will be 1990 MW, while the maximum demand could reach 3430 MW, resulting in a deficit of 1440 MW.
If the current conditions persist, an impact of 1510 MW is expected during that critical time.
Impact in Havana
According to the Electric Company of Havana, this Sunday there will be power outages affecting the following areas of the city.
From 11:00 am to 2:00 pm: block #2
From 2:00 pm to 5:00 pm: block #3
From 5:00 pm to 8:00 pm: block #4
From 8:00 PM to 11:00 PM: block #5
Contribution of photovoltaic solar energy
Solar energy represents only a slight relief on the system. The 16 new photovoltaic solar parks have generated 1503 MWh, with a peak power of 440 MW during the midday hours.
The report issued by the Electric Union emphasizes the fragility of the National Electricity System, which continues to face a significant capacity deficit due to breakdowns, maintenance, and issues related to fuel supply.
Authorities forecast that disruptions will continue, especially during peak hours, where a significant shortfall is expected.
If the conditions do not improve, the country could continue to experience power outages in the coming days, affecting both the population and economic activity.
Frequently Asked Questions about the Energy Crisis in Cuba
What is the current electricity déficit in Cuba and how does it affect the country?
The electricity deficit in Cuba for this Sunday is estimated to exceed 1500 MW during peak hours. This deficit causes prolonged blackouts that affect both the population and productive sectors, resulting in a significant impact on daily life and the country’s economy.
What are the main causes of the electricity deficit in Cuba?
The main causes of the electrical deficit in Cuba include technical failures in thermal power plants, scheduled maintenance of several units, and issues related to fuel supply. The lack of fuel has rendered many distributed generation plants inoperative, further exacerbating the energy crisis.
What measures is the Cuban government taking to address the energy crisis?
The Cuban government has attempted to mitigate the crisis by incorporating photovoltaic solar parks into the National Electric System (SEN). However, solar energy production remains insufficient to cover the current deficit, and no significant structural measures have been announced to address the underlying problems of the electric system.
How are cities like Havana affected by power outages?
La Habana, like other regions of Cuba, is experiencing rolling blackouts due to an electricity deficit. Electricity cuts are scheduled in blocks at different times of the day, affecting residents as well as the operation of basic services and economic activities in the capital.
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