This Sunday, June 15, when Father's Day is celebrated in Cuba, the blackouts show no mercy.
Even on a date that many families had hoped to share peacefully, the country is facing a critical day in the National Electric System (SEN), with an estimated deficit of up to 1,425 MW during peak hours, which suggests long power outages across the entire nation.
According to the official report from Unión Eléctrica (UNE), the outages persisted for 24 hours on Saturday and continued throughout the early morning of Sunday.
The highest recorded impact was 1,669 MW at 10:00 PM, a figure that exceeded what was planned due to the non-commissioning of unit 5 of the Mariel thermoelectric power plant and the Moa power plant.
Critical availability and growing deficit
At 7:00 AM this Sunday, the availability of the national electric system was only 1,845 MW, against a demand of 2,948 MW, resulting in an immediate deficit of 1,128 MW. It is estimated that this figure will rise to 1,200 MW by noon.
The situation worsens during peak hours, when a maximum demand of 3,200 MW is expected, and availability remains without significant variations, resulting in an estimated deficit of 1,355 MW and an impact of up to 1,425 MW.
Main causes of the crisis
The national electrical system is currently experiencing multiple technical and logistical issues:
Two faulty blocks at the Mariel and Felton CTEs.
Four units are under maintenance at the CTEs Santa Cruz, Cienfuegos, Diez de Octubre, and Renté.
Thermal limitations: 387 MW out of service due to various technical reasons.
Fuel problems:
A total of 645 MW are reported out of service due to a lack of fuel, distributed across 70 distributed generation plants (446 MW), the Moa fuel plant (119 MW), and an additional 80 MW due to a shortage of oil in engines.
Renewable energies: limited contribution
The 16 new photovoltaic solar parks contributed 1,653 MWh of energy on Saturday, reaching a peak power of 368 MW at noon.
National impact
With these figures, power outages will continue this Sunday across the country, directly impacting daily life, water supply, communications, and the functioning of essential services.
The UNE did not provide information on possible improvements in availability for the coming days, suggesting that the energy crisis might continue or worsen in the weeks ahead.
Meanwhile, the Cuban population faces another day marked by uncertainty and blackouts.
Frequently Asked Questions about Blackouts and the Electric Deficit in Cuba
What is the main cause of blackouts in Cuba?
The main cause of blackouts in Cuba is the deficit in electricity generation capacity. This is due to breakdowns and maintenance issues in various thermal power units, as well as a lack of fuel affecting distributed generation plants. These limitations prevent the country from meeting its electricity demand, resulting in constant service interruptions.
What is the current electricity generation deficit in Cuba?
The current deficit in Cuba can exceed 1,425 MW during peak hours. This deficit reflects the severity of the energy crisis facing the country, with a demand consistently exceeding the available generation capacity.
How do blackouts affect the daily lives of Cubans?
Power outages severely impact daily life in Cuba, interrupting essential activities such as cooking, the use of appliances, water supply, and communications. This situation generates frustration and discontent among the population, affecting both personal well-being and the country's economy.
What measures has the Cuban government taken to address the energy crisis?
The Cuban government has implemented measures such as scheduled and rotating blackouts to distribute the impact. However, these actions have generated discontent among the population, which is calling for more effective and sustainable solutions to address the energy crisis affecting the country.
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