The Antonio Guiteras thermoelectric plant in Matanzas suffered another breakdown around nine in the morning on Tuesday, due to a leak detected in the boiler, as reported on social media by the Electric Union (UNE).
"It is estimated to take 96 hours for its reintegration into the SEN", warned the UNE, which means it will be out of service for at least four days.
The official source did not provide further details about the departure of the Guiteras power plant from the National Electric System, which had rejoined the National Electric System early in the morning of last Friday, July 25 after another breakdown, which had been preceded by another shutdown, in that case for maintenance.
The announcement from the Unión Eléctrica on July 29 was made shortly after the outage report for today, which was already at 1,992 MW without the Guiteras coming online, so what can be expected in the coming hours?
In its update for today, the Electric Union announced that the situation worsened following the unexpected shutdown of the combined cycle at Energás Varadero and unit 3 of the Santa Cruz thermoelectric power plant (CTE), which increased the generation capacity deficit.
The highest recorded impact this Monday was 1,916 MW at 11:00 PM, coinciding with the peak demand hour.
Growing deficit and insufficient solar generation
At 7:00 AM this Tuesday, the availability of the National Electric System (SEN) was just 1,650 MW, compared to a demand of 3,070 MW, resulting in 1,447 MW without service.
Before the Guiteras power plant went offline, the estimated deficit was 1,480 MW for the midday hours, while for the peak nighttime period, the forecast indicated a shortfall of 1,922 MW and an estimated impact of 1,992 MW.
Despite the contribution of the 24 new photovoltaic solar parks, which delivered 2,513 MWh this Monday and reached a maximum power output of 503 MW at noon, the volume is not sufficient to meet the growing demand.
The UNE reports that currently the units 3 of Santa Cruz, 4 of Energás Varadero, 6 of the CTE Renté, and 2 of the CTE Felton are out of service.
In addition, three other units are undergoing scheduled maintenance: Unit 2 in Santa Cruz, Unit 4 at the Carlos Manuel de Céspedes CTE in Cienfuegos, and Unit 5 at the Renté CTE.
There are also thermal limitations that keep 409 MW offline, and the lack of fuel continues to impact the operation of 94 distributed generation plants (797 MW) and three engines of the Regla barges (28 MW), which represents a total of 825 MW affected by fuel shortages.
The Guiteras out again: "How long will this last?"
La Guiteras is the largest unit block in the country, with a generation capacity exceeding 200 megawatts, which means its shutdown represents a significant loss for the national electrical system.
The thermal power plant in Matanzas suffered a major breakdown in the early morning of Sunday, July 20, and since then it was reported that it would remain out of service for a minimum of 72 hours, a forecast that ultimately proved to be optimistic, as it did not come back online until the early morning of Friday, July 25.
Now, with the new breakdown of the thermal power plant in Matanzas, the issues with Energás, and the ubiquitous fuel shortage, the situation is heading towards collapse, as many internet users predict on social media.
Frequently Asked Questions about the Energy Crisis in Cuba and the Antonio Guiteras Power Plant
Why is the Antonio Guiteras power plant crucial for the National Electric System of Cuba?
The Antonio Guiteras thermoelectric plant is the largest single generating unit in the country, with a capacity exceeding 200 megawatts. Its exit from the system represents a significant drop for the National Electric System (SEN), exacerbating blackouts due to the energy generation deficit. The plant has experienced multiple breakdowns and shutdowns, reflecting the fragility of the Cuban electrical system.
What are the main causes of the recurring breakdowns at the Antonio Guiteras thermoelectric plant?
The breakdowns at the Antonio Guiteras thermoelectric plant are mainly caused by its obsolescence and lack of capital maintenance, which includes issues such as leaks in the boiler, failures in the forced draft fan, and cracks in the water walls. These failures are exacerbated by aging infrastructure and the lack of adequate resources for sustainable repairs.
What is the impact of the Guiteras's departure on the blackout crisis in Cuba?
The shutdown of the Guiteras significantly increases the electricity generation deficit, leading to extended blackouts across Cuba. During critical moments, demand exceeds the available generation capacity, resulting in impacts that can exceed 1,800 MW. This deficit is challenging to offset even with the support of photovoltaic solar parks, due to the limited capacity for alternative generation.
What measures are being taken to improve the energy situation in Cuba?
The Cuban government has promised investments to recover capacity and modernize infrastructure, in addition to announcing the purchase of mobile generation units. However, the credibility of these promises is low, and in practice, the crisis is worsening due to a lack of fuel and the obsolescence of the thermoelectric power fleet. Meanwhile, the population faces prolonged blackouts and growing discontent due to the absence of effective solutions.
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