The energy landscape in Cuba continues to deteriorate, marked by a new peak in disruptions due to the withdrawal of the Antonio Guiteras thermoelectric power plant from the national electrical system, amidst an ongoing generation crisis.
According to official data from the (UNE), the situation this Monday is critical, and the capacity deficit already exceeds 1,800 megawatts (MW).
Yesterday, the electric service was disrupted for 24 hours, and the situation remained the same throughout the early hours of today. The peak impact recorded was 1,732 MW at 10:40 PM, coinciding with the time of highest demand, and exceeded what was planned due to a lack of fuel in the trucks of Havana.
Solar energy: limited support in the face of collapse
Throughout the day, the 21 new photovoltaic solar parks contributed 2,253 MWh of energy to the system, reaching a maximum power of 505 MW at noon. However, this support has not been enough to cover the growing deficit.
At 7:00 AM this Monday, the availability of the SEN was 1,925 MW, compared to a demand of 2,750 MW, resulting in a deficit of 873 MW. By noon, the expected impact is estimated to be 980 MW.
During the nighttime peak hours, the situation will be even more severe: the UNE forecasts a supply of 1,925 MW against a demand of 3,680 MW, resulting in a deficit of 1,755 MW and an expected impact of 1,825 MW, if conditions remain the same.
Main power plants out of service
They are out of service:
- Unit 2 of the CTE Felton
- Unit 3 of CTE Renté
They are under maintenance
- Unit 2 of CTE Santa Cruz
- Unit 4 of the CTE Cienfuegos
- Unit 5 of the CTE Renté
Moreover, this Monday morning, the CTE Antonio Guiteras unit in Matanzas was taken out of service for a scheduled maintenance intervention that will last for four days.
The limitations in thermal generation reach 410 MW, and 81 distributed generation plants are out of service due to a lack of fuel, affecting 681 MW.
Guiteras: a key stop amid the collapse
The Antonio Guiteras Thermoelectric Power Plant, the most important in the country, has been operating at only 210 MW, well below its nominal capacity of over 250 MW, due to technical issues with the high-temperature reheater, which causes leaks, excessive water consumption, and a reduction in steam available for the turbine, explained Rubén Campos, the plant's director, to the weekly publication Trabajadores.
The maintenance, which began today, aims to restore at least 40 MW of power and will be carried out over an intensive period of 84 hours, just over three days. According to journalist José Miguel Solís from Radio 26, the process has been carefully planned to ensure the availability of all necessary resources and materials. In his Facebook post, the journalist indicated that the schedule could be met in less time if conditions permit.
Frequently Asked Questions about Power Outages in Cuba and the Situation at the Antonio Guiteras Thermoelectric Plant
Why is the Antonio Guiteras Thermal Power Plant important for energy supply in Cuba?
The Antonio Guiteras Thermoelectric Power Plant is the most important in the country due to its generation capacity, which exceeds 250 MW. Its operation is crucial for the National Electric System (SEN) in Cuba, and any technical or maintenance issues at this plant significantly affect the electricity supply across the entire island.
What is the main cause of the blackouts in Cuba?
Power outages in Cuba are primarily caused by the lack of electricity generation capacity and the scarcity of fuel. The thermal power infrastructure is outdated and suffers from constant breakdowns and maintenance issues, which limits the response capacity of the National Electric System. Furthermore, the lack of fuel for distributed generation plants further aggravates the situation.
What role does solar energy play in the Cuban electricity system?
Despite the installation of new photovoltaic solar parks in Cuba, their contribution is insufficient to cover the current energy deficit. During the most critical day, these parks provided only 2,253 MWh to the system, which is negligible compared to national demand. Solar energy is a support, but it does not address the structural shortcomings of the country's electrical system.
How does the current situation with power outages affect the Cuban population?
Prolonged blackouts severely impact the daily lives of Cubans, restricting basic activities such as cooking, preserving food, studying, or resting. The lack of a stable electricity supply has forced the population to reorganize their daily lives around the unpredictability of the power service, which creates despair and discomfort in light of the absence of short-term solutions.
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