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The Electric Union of Cuba (UNE) reported this Saturday, August 23, that the country will once again face a full day of blackouts due to the National Electric System's (SEN) inability to meet energy demand.
According to the official note, on Friday there were interruptions that lasted for 24 hours, extending into the early hours of Saturday.
The highest impact was 1618 MW at 8:30 PM, when demand reached its peak. The value was below the predicted 1700 MW.
Deficit at Dawn
On Saturday morning, at 6:00 AM, the generation availability was 2110 MW against a demand of 3000 MW, resulting in a shortfall of 933 MW.
For the midday schedule, an impact of up to 1400 MW is expected.
Out of service power plants
The system continues to operate under severe limitations due to breakdowns in several thermoelectric plants.
For that reason, a total of four units from the CTE Santa Cruz, Felton, and Renté remain inactive.
In addition, three blocks from Santa Cruz, Cienfuegos, and Renté are under maintenance, which results in an additional 359 MW out of service due to scheduled work.
Palliative measures
The UNE anticipates a partial reintegration of capacity throughout the day.
During peak hours, an entry of 100 MW from distributed generation engines that had been offline due to a lack of fuel is expected, as well as the synchronization of unit 3 of Santa Cruz, which could provide about 50 MW.
Forecast for the night
Even with these additions, the situation remains critical.
At night peak, the estimated availability is 2260 MW compared to a maximum demand of 3800 MW, resulting in a deficit of 1540 MW.
If this projection holds true, the actual impact on consumers will reach 1610 MW, extending blackouts across much of the country.
The UNE note concludes by stating that the anticipated conditions indicate a day with significant energy restrictions, which will necessitate prolonged power outages across the national territory.
Renewable production
The 25 operational photovoltaic solar parks contributed a total of 2,737 megawatt-hours (MWh) during the day, with a peak power of 534 MW during the hours of highest solar radiation.
Despite this contribution, the figures are insufficient in light of the structural deficit facing the SEN.
Frequently Asked Questions about Power Outages in Cuba
Why do blackouts occur in Cuba?
Blackouts in Cuba are mainly due to the deficit in electricity generation, which is caused by breakdowns in thermal power plants, maintenance of units, fuel shortages, and thermal limitations. The country's energy infrastructure is in a critical state, preventing it from meeting the electricity demand of the population.
What is the Cuban government doing to solve the power outages?
The Cuban government has attempted to alleviate the problem by incorporating solar photovoltaic parks and maintaining some power plants. However, no effective structural measures have been announced to resolve the energy crisis, which keeps the situation critical and without short-term solutions.
What is the impact of power outages on the daily lives of Cubans?
Prolonged blackouts severely affect the quality of life for Cubans. The lack of electricity interferes with everyday activities such as food refrigeration, water pumping, and the use of appliances, as well as impacting basic services like hospitals and schools. This creates an atmosphere of frustration and social unrest.
What is the role of renewable energy in Cuba's energy crisis?
Although Cuba has incorporated photovoltaic solar parks, the production of renewable energy remains insufficient to meet the country's energy demand. These efforts have not managed to compensate for the structural deficit of the National Electric System, especially during peak consumption times.
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