The Antonio Guiteras thermoelectric plant, one of the main electricity generators in Cuba, is getting ready for a scheduled major maintenance in early 2026.
The news was announced during a working visit on Friday by Prime Minister Manuel Marrero Cruz, accompanied by the Governor of Matanzas, Marieta Puey Zamora, and the Minister of Energy and Mines, Vicente de la O Levy.
The plant, which today generates 220 megawatts, remains the most efficient in the country, capable of producing 1 kilowatt-hour with just 240 grams of national crude fuel.
However, the announcement of this major maintenance raises concerns, particularly due to the plant's historical difficulties and the government's unfulfilled promises of improvements.
The scheduled maintenance will be the first of its kind in approximately 10 years, resulting in a serious backlog of repairs and a structure that has reached a critically obsolete state.
During the visit, Marrero acknowledged that Guiteras is facing challenges due to a lack of resources to carry out major repairs, and emphasized that, despite this, it is necessary to continue utilizing it because of its importance to the national electrical system.
But the problems are obvious. The plant has suffered multiple technical failures, including the breakdown of feed pumps, and a high consumption of makeup water, which requires constant shutdowns.
Moreover, the plant director, Rubén Campos Olmo, detailed that the number two feed pump has significant failures, and that the plant operates with a high water consumption, which jeopardizes its operation.
Scheduled maintenance is presented as a partial solution to these problems, and many observers question the effectiveness of such interventions, especially since the plant has operated under critical conditions for years without a significant structural update.
For their part, the residents of Matanzas, where the plant is located, are not convinced.
After days of severe blackouts in the province, social media users pointed out ironically that electricity was restored "as if by magic" with the arrival of officials, which fuels the perception that official visits aim to gloss over the energy crisis.
The widespread discontent among the population is not limited to power outages; it also extends to the government's management of the crisis.
In the streets of Matanzas, many lament that the Guiteras power plant does not benefit the local community, as despite being the most important plant in the country, power outages continue to severely affect households in the region.
"They give us five hours of electricity and then leave us without power for days. This is not a solution," commented a resident online, where frustration has become a constant.
In the meantime, calls to build new thermoelectric plants and to address the root causes of the energy system issues are multiplying.
Citizens no longer believe in promises of "capital maintenance" that only serve as temporary fixes. The prevailing sentiment is that the government continues to resort to unfulfilled promises, while the energy crisis worsens day by day.
La Guiteras, whose main boiler has not received maintenance since its inauguration in 1989, remains a highly vulnerable structure.
The lack of investment and the delay in essential repairs have left the plant in a precarious state, jeopardizing not only its generating capacity but also the stability of the entire country's electrical system.
As the energy crisis deepens, the question remains: how long can a plant continue to operate without having received appropriate maintenance for decades?
Currently, the Cuban electrical system appears to be on the brink of collapse, and the measures announced are, far from being seen as definitive solutions, perceived as a way to maintain the appearance of control amid an increasingly unsustainable reality.
Frequently Asked Questions about the Antonio Guiteras Thermoelectric Plant and the Energy Crisis in Cuba
Why is capital maintenance necessary at the Antonio Guiteras thermoelectric plant?
The Antonio Guiteras thermoelectric plant requires major maintenance due to its critical state of obsolescence and frequent breakdowns. Since its inauguration in 1989, the main boiler has not received major maintenance, resulting in significant deterioration of its components. The lack of investment and resources has led the plant to operate under precarious conditions, which is essential for the stability of the Cuban electrical system.
How does the situation at Guiteras affect the population of Matanzas?
The situation at Guiteras is severely affecting the population of Matanzas with prolonged blackouts and a lack of electrical stability. Despite being the most important plant in the country, it does not directly benefit the local community, which continues to suffer from power interruptions. Residents are unhappy with the government's management and the lack of effective improvements in the energy system.
What solutions does the Cuban government propose for the energy crisis?
The Cuban government has announced major maintenance work and the installation of solar parks as solutions to the energy crisis. However, these measures are seen as temporary fixes and do not address the structural problem of the obsolescence of thermoelectric plants and the lack of fuel. The population is calling for substantive solutions, such as the construction of new plants and a real modernization of the energy system.
What is the current generation capacity of the Antonio Guiteras thermoelectric plant?
The Antonio Guiteras thermoelectric plant currently generates 220 megawatts, although its nominal capacity is higher. Due to technical problems and lack of maintenance, the plant operates below its capacity, which further complicates the situation of the Cuban electrical system. The plant is crucial for the country, but its constant failures limit its effectiveness.
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