The National Electric System (SEN) of Cuba continues to face a critical situation that keeps the Cuban population on edge.
According to a report this Monday from the Electric Union (UNE), the electrical service was affected for 24 hours on Sunday and experienced continuous interruptions throughout the early hours of today.
The highest impact from the previous day occurred at 10:40 PM, when the generation deficit reached 2007 MW, coinciding with the peak demand hour.
The UNE specified that this situation exceeded expectations due to the lack of fuel in the Melones truck, which exacerbated the collapse of the system.
Monday with alarming figures
At 7:00 AM on July 21, the SEN recorded an availability of just 1668 MW, against a national demand of 3050 MW, which means that 1397 MW were unmet, leaving large areas of the country without electricity.
For the midday schedule, the UNE estimates an impact of around 1300 MW, with no substantial improvements in sight.
Main causes of the collapse
The system is experiencing multiple technical failures that seriously compromise its operational stability.
Among the main reported breakdowns are Unit 4 of Energas Varadero, Unit 2 of the CTE Felton, and Unit 6 of the CTE Renté, as well as the Guiteras, all currently out of service due to technical failures that prevent their operation.
The Antonio Guiteras thermoelectric plant in Matanzas suffered a serious malfunction early Sunday morning that will keep it out of service for at least 72 hours.
According to engineer Rubén Campos Olmos, despite having fixed the malfunction of the forced draft fan that limited the plant, the boiler's sealing in the combustion area failed, and a water leak and a crack were detected.
This is compounded by several units that are currently undergoing scheduled maintenance, which also impacts the available generation capacity.
This group includes block 2 of the Santa Cruz CTE, block 4 of the Cienfuegos CTE, and block 5 of the Renté CTE, whose temporary exit from the system significantly reduces technical support during emergencies.
Additional thermal limitations are reported, keeping 322 megawatts offline.
This combination of breakdowns, maintenance issues, and restrictions has worsened the already critical energy situation facing the country.
Fuel shortage:
One of the most serious factors remains the fuel shortage, which keeps a significant portion of distributed generation out of operation
82 distributed plants with 714 MW inoperative.
12 engines in the Melones trailer, non-operational (170 MW).
5 engines in the Regla barges, also out of service (40 MW).
In total, 924 MW are offline due to direct issues with fuel supply, representing nearly one third of the overall deficit.
The projections from the Electric Union for peak hours this Monday are particularly concerning.
According to official estimates, the generation availability during the night will barely reach 1878 MW, while the national demand could reach 3700 MW, implying a deficit of 1822 MW.
As a result, an impact of up to 1,892 MW is expected, a figure that would leave more than half of the country without electrical service during peak consumption hours.
These figures indicate that more than half of the country could be left without electricity during peak consumption hours, marking one of the most severe spikes in recent months.
This situation confirms the deep imbalance between the generating capacity of the system and the actual needs of the population.
Solar energy: limited contribution
Regarding renewable energy generation, the country's 22 photovoltaic solar parks produced 2445 MW during the day, with a maximum power output of 476 MW delivered during peak hours.
While these contributions provide partial relief to the situation, they remain insufficient in light of the magnitude of the structural deficit.
A prolonged crisis with no immediate solutions
Prolonged power outages, the inability of thermal generation, the obsolescence of power plants, the deterioration of infrastructure, and the chronic fuel shortage create an alarming scenario for the national electricity system.
The Cuban population continues to suffer from daily power outages, with no clear schedule or realistic prospects for a solution.
The projected deficit of over 1800 MW during peak hours leaves the country on the brink of an energy collapse.
Meanwhile, social unrest and economic strain increase with each day without electricity.
Frequently Asked Questions about Power Outages in Cuba
Why is Cuba experiencing severe blackouts this summer?
The blackouts in Cuba are due to a significant deficit in electric generation capacity, caused by multiple technical failures, a lack of fuel, and the deterioration of electrical infrastructure. This is compounded by breakdowns in the main generating units and the maintenance of others, which further limits available generation. The situation is worsened by the insufficiency of renewable sources to cover the structural deficit of the national electric system.
What are the main causes of the electrical grid collapse in Cuba?
The collapse of the Cuban electrical system is due to failures in key units such as the Antonio Guiteras thermoelectric plant, units of the Felton and Renté power plants, and maintenance issues in other plants. Additionally, the lack of fuel has taken several distributed generation plants offline, and thermal limitations impact the operational capacity of the system. The combination of these factors has led to a deficit of over 1,800 MW during peak hours, resulting in prolonged blackouts.
What role does solar energy play in Cuba's energy crisis?
Solar energy in Cuba has a limited contribution to the total electricity generation. Despite the installation of several photovoltaic solar parks, their production is insufficient to offset the deficit caused by failures in thermal plants and fuel shortages. Although these renewable sources partially alleviate the situation, they do not meet the needs of the national electric system.
Are there short-term solutions for blackouts in Cuba?
No immediate solutions are in sight for the blackouts in Cuba. The Electric Union and the government have acknowledged the lack of fuel and the deterioration of the infrastructure as the main causes of the crisis. Although strategies have been announced to recover the electrical system, the reality is that blackouts continue due to structural and logistical limitations, with no significant relief in the short term.
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