The Renté thermoelectric unit 5, in Santiago de Cuba, has disconnected from the National Electric System (SEN) just hours after being synchronized following months of maintenance, exacerbating the critical energy situation in the country.
The thermal block, which contributed about 50 megawatts of its maximum capacity of 95 megawatts, was disconnected in the early hours of this Saturday. According to Lázaro Guerra Hernández, the general director of Electricity at the Ministry of Energy and Mines, the malfunction “seems to be minor” and it is expected that the unit will be able to reintegrate into the National Electricity System in the coming hours.
“And by late tonight, not for peak demand, but by late tonight, we are already considering that this unit may begin to start up,” the official stated.
The shutdown of Renté 5 adds to other outages in the system: Mariel 5, which also went out of service on Friday, although it is expected to contribute 50 MW during the peak hours of this Saturday; and Renté 3, which has been down for several days with no scheduled return until next week.
These contingencies are compounded by the extended repairs of Santa Cruz 2 and Cienfuegos 4, in addition to the Felton 2 unit, which has been offline for more than three years following a fire.
The instability in the thermoelectric park reflects the precariousness of the system and keeps the population under prolonged and frequent blackouts.
Cubans will face this Saturday a new day of widespread blackouts, with an estimated deficit of more than 1,600 megawatts during peak hours, according to the Electric Union (UNE).
The official report acknowledged that the service was affected for 24 hours on Friday and that the situation will continue today, with a availability of only 2,085 MW against a maximum demand of 3,650 MW. This difference will leave large parts of the country without electricity for many hours.
This announcement comes just one day after the Ministry of Energy and Mines boasted on social media about having installed more than 50% of the solar parks planned for this year.
Of the 51 planned, 27 have been synchronized, contributing 580 MW during midday hours. However, Cubans are experiencing firsthand that these projects hardly alleviate the energy crisis, characterized by power outages lasting over 12 hours in many provinces.
Frequently Asked Questions about the Energy Crisis in Cuba
What happened to the Santiago de Cuba thermoelectric plant?
Unit 5 of the Renté thermal power plant in Santiago de Cuba has collapsed hours after syncing with the National Electric System (SEN) following an extended maintenance period. This situation further exacerbates the energy crisis in the country, as the unit provided 50 megawatts and its disconnection contributes to the electricity generation deficit.
What are the main causes of the energy collapse in Cuba?
The energy collapse in Cuba is due to breakdowns and scheduled maintenance at several thermoelectric plants, a critical shortage of fuel, and thermal limitations. Furthermore, the lack of investment and technological neglect have deteriorated the National Electric System (SEN), which is unable to meet the country's energy demand.
What measures is the Cuban government taking to address the electricity crisis?
The Cuban government has promised to repair units of the thermoelectric plants and increase generation capacity, but these promises have not yielded significant results. Efforts have been made to incorporate renewable energy through solar parks, but their impact is still insufficient to cover the structural deficit of the system.
How do blackouts affect daily life in Cuba?
Blackouts severely affect daily life in Cuba, interrupting essential services such as the supply of water and gas, and making communication and access to information more difficult. Furthermore, they impact commerce, production, and public services, causing frustration among the population.
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