The Antonio Guiteras Thermal Power Plant (CTE) in Matanzas experienced a serious malfunction early Sunday morning, which will keep it out of service for at least 72 hours.
The engineer Rubén Campos Olmos, general director of the yumurino bloc, confirmed the information to the official journalist José Miguel Solís.
"Despite having fixed the malfunction of the forced draft fan that had us limited, this morning the boiler's airtightness in the combustion area failed. Additionally, during the inspection, we detected a water leak and a crack," explained Campos Olmos.
The specialist warned that the cooling process of the boiler has already begun, but the restoration work will take no less than three days and will be handled by technical personnel from the plant itself.
La Guiteras, with 36 years of operation and 16 years without comprehensive general maintenance, remains one of the fragile pillars of the National Electric System (SEN).
Uncontrolled energy deficit: over 1,800 MW during peak hours
The Electric Union (UNE) reported that the electrical service was affected for 24 hours on Saturday and continued to be interrupted early Sunday morning. By 7:00 a.m., the availability of the National Electric System (SEN) was only 1,746 megawatts (MW), compared to a demand of 3,273 MW, resulting in a shortfall of 1,590 MW.
The situation could worsen in the coming hours. For the peak hours this Sunday, it is estimated that there will be a capacity of only 1,936 MW against a maximum demand of 3,700 MW, implying a deficit of 1,764 MW and impacts of up to 1,834 MW if additional generation capacity is not restored.
The Guiteras is always under maintenance
The Antonio Guiteras Thermoelectric Power Plant in Matanzas was successfully synchronized with the National Electric System on Friday night, after completing a multi-day maintenance shutdown that had raised hopes for relief amid the prolonged blackouts experienced by the Cuban population.
The Electric Union (UNE) confirmed that synchronization occurred at 9:00 PM on Friday and was contributing nearly 170 megawatts (MW) to the system. They assured that the scheduled maintenance had been successfully completed.
Blackouts in Cuba are becoming increasingly devastating, with areas going more than 24 hours without electricity, lacking potable water service, and being unable to preserve the scarce food supplies.
Frequently Asked Questions about the Crisis at the Antonio Guiteras Thermoelectric Plant in Cuba
Why is the Antonio Guiteras Thermal Power Plant out of service?
The Antonio Guiteras Thermoelectric Power Plant is out of service due to a boiler failure and a water leak. These issues were detected during a recent inspection, and the plant is expected to remain non-operational for at least 72 hours while the necessary repairs are carried out. The plant has faced multiple technical problems in the past, reflecting its state of decay and the lack of proper maintenance.
What is the magnitude of the energy deficit in Cuba currently?
Currently, the energy deficit in Cuba exceeds 1,800 megawatts during peak hours. The Electric Union has reported that the availability of the National Electric System is far below demand, resulting in prolonged blackouts across the country. The situation is exacerbated by the deterioration of generating plants and the lack of fuel.
What measures is the Cuban government taking to address the energy crisis?
The Cuban government has announced plans to increase the share of renewable energy to 37% by 2030, but by 2022, only 5% had been achieved. Furthermore, maintenance is being carried out on existing plants, although these efforts are insufficient to address the structural crisis of the energy system, which is characterized by outdated infrastructure and a high dependence on fossil fuels.
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