Despite the return to the National Electric System (SEN) of the Antonio Guiteras Thermoelectric Power Plant, one of the country's most important energy blocks, power outages have remained unchanged throughout Cuba, reflecting an unrelenting electrical crisis in the midst of summer.
According to the informative note published this Saturday by Unión Eléctrica (UNE), the country experienced disruptions throughout the 24 hours of the previous day, a situation that extended into the early hours of today.
The largest generation capacity deficit was recorded at 7:50 PM on Friday, with a total of 1,822 megawatts (MW) unavailable, although this peak did not coincide with the highest demand period. For this Saturday, August 2nd, the situation does not improve despite the synchronization of the thermal power plant in Matanzas to the National Electric System (SEN).
Meanwhile, the 24 newly installed solar photovoltaic parks generated a total of 2,742 megawatt-hours (MWh), reaching a peak power of 545 MW at noon. However, this contribution is insufficient to reverse the structural imbalance of the system, which continues to be hindered by multiple technical failures, fuel shortages, and logistical limitations.
At seven in the morning this Friday, the energy availability of the National Electric System was only 1,895 MW compared to a demand of 3,245 MW, representing a capacity deficit impact of 1,325 MW. By noon, the estimated deficit is expected to be around 1,280 MW.
The main causes of this situation stem from active breakdowns in unit 6 of the Renté thermoelectric plant and unit 2 of Felton, along with maintenance work that has taken unit 2 of Santa Cruz del Norte, unit 4 of Carlos Manuel de Céspedes in Cienfuegos, and unit 5 of Renté offline. Additionally, thermal limitations have resulted in 434 MW being out of service.
An additional factor exacerbating the situation is the fuel shortage, which has left 75 distributed generation plants inactive, with a combined capacity of 634 MW, in addition to the 64 MW from the Regla truck. In total, 698 MW are out of the system due to this issue.
During peak hours, the UNE warned that for commercial reasons, the 240 MW generator located in Havana will be disconnected. Although immediate measures have been taken to mitigate the deterioration, the outlook remains unfavorable. A partial commissioning of unit 6 of Renté with 50 MW is expected, along with the addition of 17 MW from Energás Varadero and 64 MW from eight engines in the Regla generator.
Despite these reinforcements, it is expected that during peak hours, the availability will rise to only 2,022 MW against an estimated maximum demand of 3,700 MW. This would leave a deficit of 1,674 MW and a potential impact of up to 1,744 MW, which would extend blackouts across the entire national territory.
A July marked by daily blackouts and record deficits
During the month of July, the Cuban electrical system went through one of its worst phases of the year. The reports published by UNE and documented by CiberCuba recorded power outages that affected all provinces for several consecutive days.
On more than one occasion, the deficit exceeded 1,800 MW, and on July 21 a record of 2,054 MW was registered, an unprecedented level in recent years.
The situation remained critical not only during peak hours but also persisted 24 hours a day, with reports of blackouts in the early morning, at dawn, and during evening hours. The recurring causes were the same ones that continue to affect the situation today: technical failures, prolonged maintenance, and, above all, an alarming shortage of fuel.
On several occasions, the UNE warned that the system was operating at less than 50% of its capacity. The reliance on floating tankers and distributed generation proved unviable due to the inability to maintain supplies.
In this context, the timely reinstatement of a plant like Guiteras does not manage to alter a structural scenario of energy collapse, acknowledged by the regime's own authorities, who appear unable to remedy it.
The population, meanwhile, faces the month of August with high temperatures, difficulties in food preservation, and increasing frustration over an electrical crisis that seems to have no short-term solution.
Filed under: