The energy crisis in Cuba reached a new peak of severity this Tuesday, with a power generation deficit exceeding 1,600 megawatts (MW), according to the official report from the Unión Eléctrica (UNE).
The highest impact recorded in the previous day was 1,587 MW at 9:30 PM, coinciding with the peak demand time and with what was forecasted the day before by the state-owned company.
This increase in the impacts marks a return to the critical levels that were maintained during the last days of May, when the country experienced constant outages exceeding 1,500 MW.
Curiously, following the wave of university protests sparked by the increase in ETECSA fees and public outrage, the figures began to decline, registering during one week levels around 1,100 MW. However, the trend was short-lived.
At 07:00 hours on Tuesday, June 10, the availability of the National Electric System (SEN) was 1,860 MW against a demand of 3,040 MW, resulting in 1,193 MW affected by a capacity deficit.
For peak hours, a maximum demand of 3,500 MW is estimated with a projected availability of 1,940 MW, which, according to calculations by UNE, will result in an impact of 1,630 MW.
The main incidents include breakdowns in Unit 5 of the Nuevitas Thermal Power Plant and Unit 2 of the Felton Thermal Power Plant.
In addition, several units are under maintenance, such as Unit 5 of the Mariel CTE, Unit 2 of the Santa Cruz CTE, Unit 4 of the Cienfuegos CTE, Unit 6 of the Diez de Octubre CTE, and Unit 5 of the Renté CTE. Thermal limitations are keeping 323 MW offline.
The lack of fuel exacerbates the situation, with 67 distributed generation plants and 469 MW affected, in addition to 74 MW out of service due to a lack of oil in distributed generation engines, bringing the total to 543 MW affected by this issue.
The energy production from the 16 new photovoltaic solar parks was 1,667 MWh, with a maximum output of 424 MW during peak hours.
This outlook emerges in a context of growing social discontent, exacerbated by the recent increase in rates imposed by the Telecommunications Company of Cuba (ETECSA), which has sparked protests in various regions of the country.
The battered population faces entire days without electricity, affecting food preservation, access to water, and the operation of essential services such as hospitals and schools.
Despite efforts to incorporate renewable energy sources and maintain thermoelectric plants, the energy crisis persists, and the Cuban population continues to face prolonged and frequent blackouts.
With rising temperatures and increased domestic consumption, the outlook is not promising. The citizens, already facing economic restrictions, are now once again experiencing full days without electricity, impacting not only daily life but also essential services.
The apparent improvement following the protests is fading, and all indications suggest that power outages will once again be a regular feature of the Cuban summer.
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