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The energy crisis in Cuba continues to hit the population hard, as they face daily and prolonged power outages.
The Electric Union (UNE) informed this Thursday, August 28, that the generation deficit exceeds 1,700 MW, which caused uninterrupted blackouts throughout Wednesday and into the early hours of today.
According to the official report, the highest disruption from the previous day reached 1,772 MW at 8:20 PM, coinciding with peak demand hours.
At 6:00 am this Thursday, the availability of the National Electric System (SEN) was 1,950 MW, compared to a demand of 3,170 MW, indicating a shortfall of more than 1,200 MW due to capacity deficit.
The situation, far from improving, is worsening during peak consumption hours: by noon, a deficit of 950 MW is expected.
For the nighttime peak, the UNE predicts that demand will reach 3,760 MW, while availability will only be 2,080 MW, indicating a shortfall of 1,750 MW.
Havana, also affected by power outages
The Electric Company of Havana issued its own information note detailing that the capital experienced power outages for 16 hours and 56 minutes on Wednesday.
The peak impact occurred at 8:20 PM, with a deficit of 107 MW.
Although the service was restored at 8:08 AM this Thursday, the company acknowledged that the interruptions are entirely dependent on the national situation of the SEN and that even the reserve blocks planned to prevent larger blackouts have had to be utilized.
Out-of-service plants and technical limitations
The report specifies that several thermoelectric units remain out of service.
Unit 2 of CTE Felton and two units of CTE Renté are out of service, while the blocks of CTE Santa Cruz and CTE Cienfuegos are undergoing scheduled maintenance.
This is compounded by limitations in thermal generation, calculated at 477 MW, and the shutdown of 36 distributed generation plants due to a lack of fuel, with a combined capacity of 207 MW.
To mitigate the deficit, the commissioning of several distributed generation engines with 80 MW is expected, along with the partial startup of unit 6 of Renté with an additional 50 MW. However, the UNE acknowledges that these efforts are insufficient to meet the high national demand.
Renewable energy with still modest contributions
Amid the critical situation, the UNE reported on the contribution of the 26 new photovoltaic solar parks, which generated 2,727 MWh on the previous day, reaching a maximum capacity of 527 MW at noon.
Although renewable energy partially alleviates the situation, its contribution does not manage to compensate for the structural deficit of the SEN.
A crisis with no immediate solution in sight
The combination of breakdowns, prolonged maintenance, lack of fuel, and limited generation capacity puts Cuba in a critical situation that leaves millions of citizens without a stable electricity supply.
Uncertainty is growing among the population, who observe how power outages are becoming the daily norm, while authorities offer no short-term solutions beyond contingency plans that prove to be inadequate.
Frequently asked questions about the energy crisis in Cuba
What is the cause of the energy deficit in Cuba?
The energy deficit in Cuba is due to a combination of breakdowns in thermoelectric units, prolonged maintenance, fuel shortages, and outdated infrastructure. These factors prevent the National Electric System (SEN) from meeting the demand for electricity, leading to frequent and prolonged blackouts.
How do power outages affect daily life in Cuba?
Power outages in Cuba severely impact the daily lives of citizens, affecting both household activities and basic services as well as family finances. Businesses, hospitals, schools, and homes experience constant interruptions in electricity service, which has repercussions on the health, productivity, and quality of life of the population.
What measures is the Cuban government taking to address the energy crisis?
The Cuban government has implemented contingency plans and maintenance programs, and has incorporated solar photovoltaic parks. However, these actions are insufficient to mitigate the structural deficit of the National Electric System, and the lack of real investment in infrastructure and resources has led to an energy crisis without an immediate solution.
What is the role of renewable energy in the current energy crisis in Cuba?
Renewable energies, particularly through photovoltaic solar parks, partially support electricity generation in Cuba, but their contribution remains insufficient to offset the structural deficit of the system. Despite the addition of new solar parks, their generation capacity fails to meet the increasing electricity demand in the country.
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