Cuba is facing one of its worst energy crises of the year, with a deficit exceeding 1,600 megawatts (MW) this Thursday, July 3, according to the Electric Union (UNE) in its daily report.
The collapse in generation has caused continuous blackouts of up to 24 hours in some areas of the country and an average of 16 hours in Havana, a situation that does not seem to be improving in the short term.
According to UNE, service was disrupted throughout the entire day on Wednesday, reaching a maximum impact of 1,615 MW at 10:40 PM, although this peak did not coincide with the time of highest demand, which highlights the extent of the system's deterioration.
The situation extended into the early hours of Thursday. By 7:00 AM, the availability of the National Electric System (SEN) was just 1,890 MW, compared to an estimated demand of 2,990 MW, resulting in an immediate shortfall of 1,114 MW.
By noon, it is expected that more than 1,050 MW will be out of service, and during the peak nighttime hours—the most critical period—a deficit of 1,580 MW is anticipated, with a total impact of up to 1,650 MW.
Prolonged blackouts in Havana
The situation in the capital is equally serious and has worsened since last week, when the provincial electric company announced power outages of eight hours a day and during the early morning.
This Thursday, the entity acknowledged that yesterday there was an average power outage impact of 16 hours per user, with an unmet demand of 164 MW at 10:40 PM.
Although it was not necessary to impact some of the scheduled blocks on Thursday morning, the company warned that emergency interruptions will continue to depend on the state of the SEN, leaving the residents of Havana in constant uncertainty.
Causes of the energy collapse
Among the main causes of the collapse are:
Breakdowns in three units of the thermal power plants Santa Cruz, Renté, and Felton.
Scheduled maintenance in three blocks of the Santa Cruz, Cienfuegos, and Renté power plants.
Thermal limitations that render an additional 362 MW out of service.
Severe impacts due to fuel shortages, with 104 distributed generation plants shut down and 873 MW out of service as a result.
Additionally, 19 MW are not generated due to a lack of oil in the engines, raising the total affected by fuel shortages to 892 MW.
Insufficient solar energy
The 18 photovoltaic solar parks in the country produced 1,852 MWh the previous day, with a peak of 464 MW delivered to the grid. This contribution is insufficient to address the immense structural deficiencies of the Cuban thermal and hybrid systems.
Bleak outlooks
The UNE did not provide specific predictions for recovery or dates for the reactivation of the damaged units, meaning that the population will face more days of prolonged blackouts, affecting domestic, work, educational, and health-related activities.
On social media, complaints have been swift. Hundreds of users report the inability to preserve food, sleep properly, or keep medical equipment functioning at home. The high summer temperatures exacerbate the situation even further.
The government, for its part, does not offer any additional statements or short-term alternatives, limiting itself to publishing the daily reports from the UNE.
The energy crisis in Cuba, far from alleviating, is solidifying as one of the most visible aspects of the country's structural deterioration.
Frequently Asked Questions about the Energy Crisis in Cuba
What is the current energy deficit in Cuba?
The energy deficit in Cuba has exceeded 1,600 MW, causing prolonged blackouts throughout the country, including outages lasting up to 24 hours in some areas.
What causes the collapse of the electrical system in Cuba?
The collapse of the electrical system in Cuba is due to multiple factors: breakdowns in key units, scheduled maintenance, thermal limitations, and lack of fuel, which have rendered a large part of the electrical infrastructure inoperable.
How does this electricity crisis affect the Cuban population?
The electrical crisis in Cuba severely impacts the daily life of the population, with blackouts preventing food preservation, the operation of medical equipment, and affecting health and overall well-being, especially during the summer.
What measures is the Cuban government taking in response to this energy crisis?
As of now, the Cuban government has not provided any additional statements or short-term alternatives, merely publishing the daily reports from UNE. No concrete measures have been announced to resolve the issue, leaving the population in a state of constant uncertainty.
Filed under: