Cuba wakes up to another day of massive blackouts close to 1,800 MW

Cuba is facing widespread blackouts due to failures in thermal power plants and a lack of fuel. Authorities appear helpless, aggravating the energy crisis and the frustration of citizens who see the forecast for blackouts dangerously approaching 1,800 MW.

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The Cuban Electric Union (UNE) reported this Monday that the country will continue to experience widespread blackouts, following a maximum impact of 1,698 MW recorded on Sunday at 8:50 PM, a figure higher than planned due to the increase in demand, as explained by the state entity itself.

The National Electric System (SEN) started the day with a availability of just 1,940 MW against a demand of 3,160 MW, resulting in a deficit of 1,250 MW since the early hours of the morning. By noon, the UNE estimated that the impact would remain around that level, with little variation.

Facebook / UNE screenshot

According to the official report, the system remains severely limited due to breakdowns in the thermoelectric plants: Unit 5 of Mariel, Unit 5 of Nuevitas, Units 3 and 6 of Renté, and Unit 2 of Felton are still out of service.

In addition, there are other plants undergoing scheduled maintenance—such as Unit 2 in Santa Cruz and Unit 4 in Carlos Manuel de Céspedes in Cienfuegos—along with 280 MW restricted due to thermal limitations.

The problems arising from a lack of fuel worsen the situation: 68 distributed generation plants, with a total capacity of 395 MW, remain inactive, making the National Electric System even more vulnerable.

The UNE announced that, for the peak hours this Monday, 100 MW of distributed generation motors currently idle due to lack of fuel could be brought online, along with Unit 5 of Nuevitas, which is generating 60 MW and is in the process of starting up.

With these additions, the entity anticipates a maximum availability of 2,100 MW against a demand of 3,800 MW, which would result in a deficit of 1,700 MW and estimated blackouts of up to 1,770 MW across the entire national territory.

In the midst of the worst energy crisis in decades, Cubans face another day marked by prolonged power outages, sweltering heat, and rising frustration with the government's management.

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CiberCuba Editorial Team

A team of journalists committed to reporting on Cuban current affairs and topics of global interest. At CiberCuba, we work to deliver truthful news and critical analysis.