The Antonio Guiteras Thermoelectric Power Plant, located in Matanzas, will remain disconnected from the National Electroenergetic System (SEN) for at least 24 more hours as repair work continues following its unexpected shutdown last Sunday.
According to statements by Román Pérez Castañeda, the technical director of the plant, to the newspaper Girón, work is currently underway to repair several weld seams, a process that does not have a specific execution time as they must be redone if defects are present.
"It's not like changing a valve, where you know how long it might take," he explained.
"There are areas of the boiler that are more difficult to access, which makes it uncomfortable for the worker, but because they are less dirty, welding becomes easier. The area we are currently working in is more open, but also more contaminated," he pointed out.
In addition to the welding, it will be necessary to restore the refractory work, a task that involves an additional three hours of work and is essential to ensure the airtightness of the boiler, which operates at temperatures close to 2,000 degrees.
"Imagine that inside the boiler there is a fireball that is at 2,000 degrees. That heat cannot escape to the outside. The tubes are sealed, joined by a membrane that ensures total airtightness of the furnace. But in the repaired area, the tubes are separated, so it is up to you to achieve that airtightness," he described.
Pérez detailed that this work requires a fire-resistant layer and another insulating layer, both essential to maintain the safety and efficiency of the system.
After these stages, a hydraulic test must be conducted, which takes approximately six hours.
If everything goes as planned, the final synchronization of the unit with the SEN could take an additional eight to twelve hours.
The executive noted that the shutdown has also been utilized to carry out other unplanned actions, such as the valve replacements.
La Guiteras is the largest unit block in the country, with a generation capacity exceeding 200 megawatts, so its shutdown represents a significant loss for the national electrical system.
La Guiteras suffered a major breakdown in the early hours of last Sunday, and it has since been reported that it will remain out of service for a minimum of 72 hours.
However, executives from the thermoelectric plant reported that it was scheduled to conduct a hydraulic test this Tuesday after identifying fractured pipes in one of the water walls of the boiler, the rupture of which caused the block to be taken offline.
All these "unexpected events" have occurred just hours after the Guiteras entered a planned maintenance that promised to restore 40 megawatts of power to the "most efficient and stable" unit block of the SEN.
The truth is that without the Guiteras, the SEN is facing a complicated and quite unstable situation. In this regard, it has been reported that this Wednesday continues to be in a critical situation, with service disruptions throughout Tuesday that persisted into the early hours of today.
The highest impact from generation capacity deficits was recorded yesterday at 9:30 PM, with 1,866 MW offline, coinciding with peak demand hours.
For this Wednesday, without the entry of Guiteras, an electricity deficit in Cuba is expected to exceed 1,900 MW
Frequently Asked Questions about the Antonio Guiteras Power Plant and the Energy Crisis in Cuba
Why is the Antonio Guiteras power plant out of service?
The Antonio Guiteras thermoelectric plant is out of service due to a serious malfunction in the boiler, which affects its tightness and has caused water leakage and the appearance of cracks. This type of problem is recurrent at the plant due to its age and the lack of thorough maintenance, highlighting the fragility of the Cuban electrical system.
How long will the Guiteras be out of the National Electric System (SEN)?
The Antonio Guiteras thermoelectric plant is expected to remain out of service for at least 72 hours, while necessary repairs are carried out on the boiler and tests, such as the hydraulic test, are conducted. However, the exact duration may vary due to the complexity of the repairs and the possibility of discovering new defects.
What is the generating capacity of the Guiteras thermoelectric plant and its importance for the SEN?
The Antonio Guiteras thermoelectric plant has a generation capacity of over 200 megawatts, making it the largest single block in the country. Its importance lies in its ability to alleviate the energy deficit that Cuba faces, although constant breakdowns have limited its operability and generated distrust regarding its long-term stability.
What impact does the departure of the Guiteras have on the Cuban population?
The shutdown of the Guiteras plant by the SEN exacerbates the energy crisis in Cuba, leading to prolonged and recurring blackouts that severely impact the daily lives of the population. The lack of stability in the electricity supply and the constant unfulfilled promises from the authorities have generated increasing discontent and distrust among citizens.
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