Amid an unrelenting national energy crisis, the Electric Company of Matanzas announced the implementation of several measures to mitigate blackouts, but the statements themselves confirm that disruptions will continue.
In May, local authorities - the second province to consume the most electricity in Cuba - announced the approval of an increase in the maximum allowable blackout from 9.3% to 10% of the national total, a decision that confirms the worsening of the energy crisis in the country.
According to the provincial director of the Electric Company of Matanzas, Alejandro Rodríguez Azpeitía, the peak demand has been reduced from 172 to 140 megawatts (MW) thanks to the incorporation of solar parks and new technical protections. However, he noted that these figures vary monthly and depend on an overloaded and unstable system.
"Among the recent agreements with the national management is that, for each photovoltaic park synchronized to the National Electric System (SEN), 4 MW would be reduced from the maximum capacity that can be turned off; this would be from 7:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m., which is when the park operates," Rodríguez admitted in statements to the official newspaper Girón.
He also clarified that the "protected" megawatts or the so-called "non-shutable" circuits do not mean that other users are receiving less, although this perception remains widespread among the population.
The company is investing in photovoltaic parks like the one in Colón, which is still under construction, as well as others in Guanábana, with a capacity of 21.8 MW, and three smaller ones (5 MW) through a donation, located in Agramonte, Jovellanos, and Cárdenas. Consequently, measures have been implemented to isolate their circuits from the rest of the population.
A frequency derivative protection has also been implemented to prevent massive blackouts, but this is only active in eight circuits, which barely guarantees 10 MW "on" during times of crisis. Most of the territory remains vulnerable to system failures.
Rodríguez acknowledged that scheduled blackouts are being implemented in hospitals and essential circuits at specific times to manage the impact. In the case of the pediatric hospital, the backup power system is damaged and there is no immediate solution, although he stated, "alternative options are being sought."
Complaints from the population have exceeded 200 in the provincial capital, having accumulated due to the inability to make repairs without electricity to test the fixes. It was only after receiving national authorization to "power on" during repairs, and with assistance from brigades from Havana and Cienfuegos, that progress began to be made in addressing the backlog. Nevertheless, damaged transformers remain pending due to a lack of parts, as the national factory is currently inactive.
Furthermore, the executive himself reported that private businesses are being set up on non-interruptible circuits to avoid outages, which overloads the network. Even worse, employees from the very company have been caught "connecting people on the edge of interruptible circuits to those who belong to non-interruptible circuits", which has caused damage such as burned transformers in municipalities like Jovellanos and Versalles.
The average consumption in Matanzas ranges from 240 to 270 MW. On a day like this Saturday, when the Electric Union (UNE) forecasted a maximum shortfall of up to 1,977 MW during the nighttime peak hours, the province might face legal cuts of up to 197 MW (10%), which corresponds to between 73% and 82% of the province's total consumption.
This implies that potentially 3 out of every 4 residents of this province, which has a population exceeding 670,000, could lose electricity simultaneously, even while adhering to the "officially approved" limit.
In early June, the Electric Company of Matanzas announced a new electricity supply rotation in the province, establishing a schedule of three hours of service for every six hours without electricity.
But a resident of the town of Limonar, in Matanzas, recently reported on social media blackouts of up to 22 consecutive hours, a situation that, according to her, is not happening elsewhere in the country.
However, in the Yumurino territory, power outages of up to 32 consecutive hours have been reported, causing frustration and protests among the citizens.
Frequently Asked Questions about the Energy Crisis in Matanzas, Cuba
Why is Matanzas experiencing prolonged blackouts?
Matanzas is experiencing prolonged blackouts due to a national energy crisis exacerbated by a significant deficit in electricity generation. The province has been authorized to raise its "maximum sustainable blackout" from 9.3% to 10% of the national total, which means more frequent and extended outages.
What measures has the Electric Company of Matanzas taken to mitigate power outages?
The Electric Company of Matanzas has implemented solar parks and technical protections to reduce energy demand, although these solutions have not effectively resolved the crisis. Measures such as frequency derivative protection and rotating blackouts have been taken, but most of the territory remains vulnerable to outages.
How is the electricity crisis affecting essential services in Matanzas?
The electrical crisis is severely affecting hospitals and essential circuits, with scheduled blackouts even in these locations. The pediatric hospital is facing significant issues due to a damaged power backup, with no immediate solution in sight, putting medical care at risk.
What are the citizens' opinions on the management of the energy crisis?
The citizens of Matanzas have expressed their frustration and discontent with the management of the energy crisis. Complaints exceed 200 just in the provincial capital, and many people criticize the lack of effective solutions and the perception that the measures taken do not alleviate the real problems of blackouts.
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