The Cuban Electric Union (UNE) reported this Monday that the National Electric System (SEN) started the day with a capacity of 2,000 MW against a demand of 2,558 MW, resulting in 596 MW affected by a generation deficit since early morning.
In the previous day, the disruptions persisted for 24 hours, reaching a maximum of 1,248 MW at 8:20 PM.
The official report indicates that the 25 new photovoltaic solar parks in the country generated 2,368 MWh yesterday, with a maximum power output of 481 MW at noon; however, this does not prevent power outages from occurring throughout the country.
Incidents in generation
UNE detailed that Unit 2 of the Felton Thermal Power Plant (CTE) is out of service due to a breakdown, while Unit 2 of the Santa Cruz CTE, Unit 4 of the Carlos Manuel de Céspedes CTE in Cienfuegos, and Unit 5 of the Renté CTE remain under maintenance.
The system has accumulated technical limitations of 490 MW out of service, and fuel problems have left 72 distributed generation plants with a total of 578 MW inactive. For peak hours, the recovery of 170 MW from currently fuel-less distributed engines is anticipated.
With these projections, the availability during peak hours would be 2,170 MW compared to an estimated demand of 3,450 MW, resulting in a deficit of 1,280 MW and a calculated impact of 1,350 MW, if the expected conditions persist.
Despite the national situation, authorities assured that yesterday, Sunday, and in the early hours of this Monday, there were no power outages in Havana due to generation deficits.
Cuba has been experiencing an energy crisis for more than five years, characterized by daily blackouts that affect daily life, production, and services, with the Government failing to reverse the deterioration of the national electrical system.
Frequently Asked Questions about the Energy Crisis in Cuba
What is the current electricity deficit in Cuba?
The current electrical deficit in Cuba exceeds 1,300 MW, according to the Electric Union of Cuba (UNE). This deficit has resulted in prolonged blackouts that affect the population across the country. The energy crisis has persisted for over five years without an effective solution from the government.
What are the main causes of this energy deficit?
The causes of the energy deficit in Cuba include breakdowns in key thermal units, scheduled maintenance of several plants, and a lack of fuel. These conditions have left multiple units out of service and have affected distributed generation capacity, contributing to the current crisis.
How is the energy crisis impacting the daily lives of Cubans?
The energy crisis is severely affecting the daily lives of Cubans, causing prolonged power outages that impact vital sectors such as health, food, and transportation. The lack of electricity also hinders production and basic services, creating an atmosphere of desperation and uncertainty among the population.
What measures has the Cuban government taken to address the energy crisis?
Despite repeated promises of long-term solutions, the Cuban government has failed to implement effective measures to address the energy crisis. Temporary solutions and the lack of investment in infrastructure have left the national electrical system in a state of continuous deterioration, with no signs of improvement in the short term.
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