Cuba is experiencing another day of energy emergency this Friday, June 20, marked by widespread blackouts across the country.
According to a report from the Electric Union (UNE) in their , the service was disrupted for 24 hours on Thursday and continued to be affected throughout the early morning today, with a peak disruption of 1,730 MW at 9:40 PM, exceeding the forecast.
At 7:00 am this Friday, the availability of the National Electric System (SEN) was only 1,850 MW against a demand of 2,980 MW, resulting in an impact due to a capacity deficit of 1,189 MW.
By noon, the impact is expected to rise to 1,250 MW.
The outlook for the night peak hours is even more critical.
The UNE estimates a maximum demand of 3,500 MW with only 1,910 MW available, resulting in a deficit of 1,590 MW.
If the current conditions persist, an impact of 1,660 MW is forecasted during that time.
Currently, the country is facing multiple failures and technical limitations.
The unit 5 of the Mariel thermal power plant (CTE) and unit 2 of the Felton CTE are out of service due to breakdowns.
Additionally, several key units are undergoing scheduled maintenance: four blocks from the CTE Santa Cruz, Cienfuegos, Diez de Octubre, and Renté.
The limitations in thermal generation amount to 456 MW.
In addition, there are issues in distributed generation: 79 power plants are out of service due to a lack of fuel, resulting in a loss of 574 MW, while another 100 MW are inactive due to a lack of oil, totaling an impact of 679 MW in this sector.
Although the incorporation of unit 5 of the Mariel CTE with 60 MW is expected to alleviate the load during the night, the impact will be minimal given the scale of the deficit.
On the other hand, renewable energy continues to play a limited role.
The 16 new photovoltaic solar parks in the country generated a total of 1,765 MWh, with a peak output of 382 MW delivered at midday.
The energy crisis in Cuba continues without a clear solution in the short or medium term.
The combination of breakdowns, maintenance, lack of fuel, and logistical problems continues to leave millions of Cubans without electricity for long hours each day.
Frequently Asked Questions about the Energy Crisis in Cuba
What is the current situation of the energy crisis in Cuba?
Cuba is facing a severe energy crisis with massive blackouts due to a power generation deficit exceeding 1,600 megawatts. The lack of maintenance, breakdowns in thermoelectric plants, fuel shortages, and logistical issues have exacerbated the situation, impacting the daily lives of millions of Cubans.
What are the main causes of power outages in Cuba?
The blackouts in Cuba are due to breakdowns in the thermoelectric plants, scheduled maintenance, and an alarming shortage of fuel. These conditions have taken several generating units offline, resulting in a capacity deficit to meet the electrical demand.
How is the energy crisis affecting the daily lives of Cubans?
The energy crisis is severely affecting the daily lives of Cubans, leaving families without electricity for long hours, which impacts essential activities such as cooking, using appliances, and food preservation. Furthermore, the blackouts have created an atmosphere of uncertainty and despair among the population.
What measures has the Cuban government taken to address the energy crisis?
The Cuban government has implemented scheduled blackouts and prioritized the electricity supply to essential services such as hospitals. However, these measures have not been sufficient to resolve the crisis, which still lacks a clear solution in the short or medium term.
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