The Cuban regime announced this Saturday that the generation unit Energás de Varadero will contribute 90 megawatts (MW) to the National Electric System (SEN) in the first days of July, amid power outages exceeding 17 hours in areas of Matanzas.
According to the information from the official journalist José Miguel Solís, the plant will be operational for the holiday period after completing its "annual maintenance."
The publication by Solís details that the 90 MW correspond to the consumption of 45,000 households, and it promises that with the contribution from Energás, the National Electric System will be "slightly" strengthened during the summer.
The team at the plant, led by chemical engineer Julio Betancourt, is in the final stages of maintenance, specifically, the assembly of the rotor coupled to the main turbine has been completed.
On Tuesday the 24th, they expect to carry out the mechanical balancing of the turbine, and on Wednesday the 25th, load-free testing will take place. If the parameters are normal, it will be synchronized with the combined cycle boiler, adding a total of 45 MW, said Solís.
"We are working tirelessly to start July with 90 MW stable, secured by the associated gas from oil. Unfortunately, the decline of the field prevents us from activating a third turbine (30 MW), but we prioritize efficiency with the resources available," specified Julio Betancourt.
The plant's energy (with a total capacity of 120 MW) will represent only five percent of the national thermal generation.
Dozens of Cubans wondered if it would really alleviate the blackouts, given that the total delivery to the SEN will remain very low.
"All these posts seem to me like comic strips. I don't see how they help at all; it's said, it's said, it's done, and every day the situation gets worse. It all seems like a story to me," wrote an internet user in Solís's post.
Another person also emphasized that "very little is delivered to the national electrical system, and the deficit is increasing daily". "The physical and emotional toll is unbearable. Power outages; water and refrigerated food spoiling. Someone must feel deeply concerned about this issue for the rotations to be carried out with proper planning, and we will achieve a bit of fairness."
The decaying SEN
The ongoing crisis of the SEN is worsening. The week ended with a sustained increase in the deficit and longer blackouts, greater pressure on thermal and distributed generation, and a clear inability of renewable sources to mitigate the impact.
This Saturday, June 21, 2025, the SEN faces one of its worst scenarios to date, with expected impacts approaching 1,770 MW, highlighting a trend of sustained deterioration over the past week.
The thermal limitations amount to 433 MW out of service, and 81 distributed generation plants—due to a lack of fuel—are not operational, totaling 803 MW, in addition to another 80 MW affected by a lack of oil in engines. In total, the distributed generation experiences a deficit of 883 MW.
It is estimated that during the peak night hours between this Saturday and Sunday, Unit 6 of the CTE Diez de Octubre will come online with 100 MW, raising the estimated peak availability to 1,850 MW. Against a projected demand of 3,550 MW, the deficit would reach 1,700 MW, resulting in an impact of 1,770 MW.
Frequently Asked Questions about the Energy Crisis in Cuba and the Energás Plant in Varadero
When will the Energás plant in Varadero be operational?
The Energás plant in Varadero will be operational in the first days of July, as announced by the Cuban government, after completing its annual maintenance. It is expected to contribute 90 megawatts (MW) to the National Electric System (SEN) in an attempt to alleviate the prolonged blackouts affecting the population.
How will the Energás plant in Varadero impact the energy crisis in Cuba?
Although the Energás plant in Varadero will contribute 90 MW to the system, this contribution only represents five percent of the national thermal generation, which is insufficient to resolve the energy crisis facing the country. The outdated infrastructure and the lack of fuel remain critical issues that limit electricity generation capacity.
Why do power outages persist in Cuba despite new initiatives?
Power outages continue due to a combination of outdated electrical infrastructure, lack of fuel, and a demand that greatly exceeds the available generation capacity. Although new plants and the incorporation of renewable energy have been promised, these measures are insufficient to alleviate the current energy deficit.
What role does the Energás plant in Varadero play in Cuba's energy strategy?
The Energás plant in Varadero is part of the Cuban government's efforts to increase electricity generation, although its impact is limited due to the scale of the current deficit. The plant aims to temporarily alleviate pressure on the system, but does not address the structural issues of the National Electroenergetic System.
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