Since its inauguration in 1989, the boiler of the Antonio Guiteras thermoelectric power plant in Matanzas has not received major maintenance.
More than 35 years without a comprehensive intervention reveal not only the sustained neglect of this strategic infrastructure but also the regime's ineptitude in ensuring the sustainability of the country's largest generating block, whose obsolescence accounts for its constant failures.
The information came to light this Tuesday, when official journalist José Miguel Solís reiterated on Facebook that the malfunction was detected in the morning hours, which forced the Antonio Guiteras thermoelectric plant to once again disconnect from the National Electric System (SEN).
The engineer Rubén Campos Olmos, general director of the block, explained that the issue is located in the boiler and that a detailed technical inspection is scheduled for this Wednesday afternoon, after which the repair work will begin.
Solís pointed out that the malfunctioning element is precisely one of the components with significant deterioration, specifically the pipes of the high-temperature reheater, whose replacement had been scheduled for that major maintenance that has been pending for decades.
The lack of deep intervention in the boiler occurs despite the fact that it is the largest unit block in the country, crucial for sustaining Cuba's fragile electricity generation capacity.
Meanwhile, more than 130 additional corrective tasks are being carried out, but the severity of the boiler breakdown raises doubts about the deadlines.
As context, the departure of the Guiteras this Tuesday comes just four days after it rejoined the SEN following another breakdown, which has caused discontent among the population.
According to the Electric Union, 96 hours of shutdown are estimated, which exacerbates an already extreme blackout situation: just this Tuesday, before the announcement of the plant's failure, the deficit reached 1,992 MW.
“The plant went out of the SEN to address a leak in the boiler, in the designated high-temperature reheater unit. Along with that, there is a volume of opportunities that will also be worked on. At this moment, we are cooling down the boiler to begin actions on it,” Campos informed the local newspaper Girón.
Giselle Morejón Pérez, the lead specialist in planning and inspection at UEB Mantenimiento, explained that during the four scheduled workdays, as part of the critical path, "the condenser will be cleaned, circulation channels will be inspected and cleaned, valves and lines will be repaired, regenerative air heaters will be washed, and ducts will be patched."
The Guiteras has been operating for years with patches and forced outages. However, the new information revealed this Tuesday leaves no room for doubt: the heart of the plant has been running for more than three decades without receiving the necessary maintenance.
Frequently Asked Questions about the Crisis at the Antonio Guiteras Power Plant in Cuba
Why has the Guiteras boiler been without major maintenance for so long?
The boiler of the Antonio Guiteras thermoelectric power plant has gone over 35 years without receiving major maintenance due to the ongoing neglect of this strategic infrastructure by the Cuban regime. This neglect reflects the government's inability to ensure the sustainability of one of the country's main sources of electricity generation.
How does the lack of maintenance of the Guiteras affect the Cuban electrical system?
The lack of maintenance at Guiteras leads to constant breakdowns and outages in the National Electrical System (SEN), worsening an already extreme power outage scenario in Cuba. The obsolescence of the plant and its critical dependence severely impact the country's electricity generation capacity and the daily lives of Cubans.
How long is it expected that the Guiteras will be out of service after the latest breakdown?
The Guiteras is expected to be out of service for at least 96 hours, according to the Electric Union of Cuba. This forecast exacerbates the electricity generation deficit in the country, which is already experiencing prolonged and widespread blackouts.
What is the situation of the Cuban electrical system following the departure of the Guiteras?
The Cuban electrical system faces a significant deficit due to the shutdown of the Guiteras and other plants. The current availability is insufficient to meet demand, resulting in daily blackouts in various regions of the country. This situation highlights the fragility of the Cuban electrical system and the urgent need to modernize its infrastructure.
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