Blackouts continue to strike all of Cuba relentlessly.
La Unión Eléctrica (UNE) confirmed this Friday, July 4, that the National Electric System (SEN) remains in a severe crisis, with a deficit that reached 1,767 MW on Thursday, a value exceeding the expected 1,650 MW and reflects a situation of extreme vulnerability.
According to the official report from UNE, the service disruption lasted for 24 hours on Thursday and continued throughout the early morning of Friday.
At 10:20 PM yesterday, the maximum peak of impact was reported, when national demand exceeded the planned levels by far.
At 7:00 am this Friday, the situation remained critical. The availability was only 2,020 MW compared to a demand of 3,150 MW, resulting in a deficit of 1,130 MW and an impact on the service of 1,180 MW.
For the midday schedule, UNE forecasts an impact of 1,100 MW.
The outlook for the nighttime peak hours also offers no relief: a slight recovery of 60 MW is expected through distributed generation engines that are currently out of service due to a lack of fuel, as well as the start-up of unit 3 of the Santa Cruz thermoelectric plant, which would contribute an additional 55 MW.
Even with these additions, the estimated availability for the peak is just 2,135 MW, compared to an expected demand of 3,600 MW, which would result in a deficit of 1,465 MW.
As a result, an impact of up to 1,535 MW is forecasted during the evening, when most Cuban households attempt to use appliances and cook.
A network overwhelmed by breakdowns, maintenance issues, and fuel shortages
The causes of the massive blackout are multiple and cumulative.
Among the main reported incidents are:
Breakdowns in two units of the CTE Santa Cruz and Felton, and scheduled maintenance in three blocks of the CTE Santa Cruz, Cienfuegos, and Renté.
Thermal limitations that bring 463 MW offline.
Lack of fuel is rendering 103 distributed generation plants out of service, resulting in a total loss of 862 MW, along with an additional 20 MW halted due to a lack of oil.
A total of 882 MW are unavailable due to energy supply issues.
Meanwhile, solar energy remains insufficient. The 18 photovoltaic solar parks in the country produced only 1,802 MWh, with a peak of 424 MW delivered to the SEN at noon.
The capital is not exempt from the crisis
The Electric Company of Havana also issued a statement, highlighting that the city experienced power outages for an average of 19 hours this Thursday.
The peak impact was 87 MW at 11:50 PM, and although service was restored around 2:32 AM on Friday morning, the situation remains extremely unstable.
Fortunately, this slight improvement prevented the planned blackouts for blocks 1, 2, 3, and 5 between 2:00 AM and 10:00 AM, although the company warned that these emergency cuts could be activated at any time, depending on the demands of the SEN.
A landscape without signs of improvement
The country is experiencing one of its worst energy crises in recent years, with a deteriorated electrical system, reliant on scarce fuels, and with a generation capacity on the brink of collapse.
In the meantime, the population is facing prolonged blackouts, under extreme heat conditions, and with little clear information about when relief will arrive.
The promise of energy stability remains, for now, as intermittent as the light itself.
Frequently Asked Questions about the Energy Crisis in Cuba
What is the current deficit of megawatts causing blackouts in Cuba?
The current deficit stands at 1,767 MW, which has led to prolonged blackouts across the island. This deficit exceeds forecasts and highlights a situation of extreme vulnerability in the Cuban electrical system.
What are the main causes of blackouts in Cuba?
Power outages in Cuba are due to breakdowns in thermal power plants, scheduled maintenance, and a critical shortage of fuel, which affects the operation of distributed generation units. These incidents have taken numerous facilities offline, worsening the energy deficit.
What measures have been taken to mitigate the energy crisis in Cuba?
To mitigate the energy crisis, distributed generation engines have been incorporated, and efforts have been made to start units at thermoelectric plants. However, these measures are not sufficient to address the underlying problem due to a lack of investment and maintenance in the electrical system.
How are the blackouts affecting the Cuban population?
The blackouts are severely impacting the Cuban population, causing prolonged interruptions in daily life, with difficulties in cooking, refrigerating food, and carrying out everyday tasks. Moreover, they affect the functioning of basic services and economic activity as a whole.
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