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A false signal of superheated steam in the boiler caused the automatic shutdown of the Antonio Guiteras Thermoelectric Power Plant in Matanzas, which led to the total collapse of the National Electric System (SEN) this Wednesday.
The information was confirmed by the government-aligned newspaper Girón, which reported on Facebook that the boiler's automatic system was disassembled due to the anomaly, resulting in the disconnection of the thermal block.
According to Rubén Campos Olmo, the plant's director, after an outage of this nature, Guiteras needs to receive external power to restart operations; this process depends on the stability of the system in other regions.
The executive warned that it is still not possible to determine when the plant will be able to resume operations, and it is also unknown whether the sudden shutdown caused any additional damage to the unit, which does not bode well for short-term improvement.
This incident occurs just three days after another blackout that left the eastern part of the country in darkness, confirming the second massive collapse of the year in Cuba and highlighting the fragility of the national electrical system.
In another post, the state newspaper emphasized that "the false signal in the automatic system that caused the central station to go offline has been resolved," as confirmed by Mario Sabines Lorenzo, the first secretary of the PCC in Matanzas.
"From the management position, they assure that they are ready to start the plant as soon as the power arrives," the news portal stated in an obviously triumphant tone.
They also reported that at this time "work is being done in several territories to form microsystems in order to advance, as quickly as possible, in the restoration of the system."
The Electric Union reported that at 9:14 a.m. this Wednesday, there was a total collapse of the national electrical system, leaving the entire country without service for an indefinite period. The cause was the unexpected shutdown of the Antonio Guiteras power plant.
In a brief official statement, the state entity confirmed the collapse of the system, which occurred just a few days after the eastern part of Cuba was left completely in the dark last Sunday.
The UNE confirmed the cause: "Collapse of the National Electroenergetic System due to the unexpected shutdown of the CTE Antonio Guiteras," the same reason for previous massive blackouts, on a day that was expected to have an impact of 1,790 MW.
The Cuban Prime Minister, Manuel Marrero Cruz, boasted this Wednesday that the government has a well-defined strategy to address the complete failure of the SEN –though not to prevent it– which occurred in the morning hours.
“We have a well-defined strategy to address this situation and the professionalism of the UNE workers to advance, in the shortest possible time, the restoration of the system,” Marrero wrote on his profile on X, where he also stated that the public will be kept informed about the recovery process, although this does not guarantee the promptness of the actions, let alone their effectiveness.
With this blackout, Cuba experiences its fifth nationwide blackout in less than a year, a figure that starkly illustrates the fragility of the National Electric System and the regime's incapacity to resolve a crisis that impacts the daily lives of millions of people.
Frequently Asked Questions about the Energy Crisis in Cuba and the Antonio Guiteras Power Plant
What was the cause of the last shutdown of the Antonio Guiteras thermoelectric plant?
A false signal of superheated steam in the boiler caused the automatic shutdown of the Antonio Guiteras Thermal Power Plant, resulting in the collapse of the National Electric System (SEN) in Cuba. Such incidents highlight the fragility of the Cuban electrical system and the lack of proper maintenance of its critical infrastructure.
How long will the Guiteras thermoelectric plant be out of service?
It has not been possible to determine when the plant will be able to reintegrate into the National Electric System. Uncertainty about the repair time and the possible existence of additional damages further complicate the situation. The lack of a clear schedule has caused discontent among the Cuban population, who are already accustomed to prolonged blackouts.
What is the impact of the Guiteras leaving the Cuban electrical system?
The shutdown of the Guiteras has left Cuba with a significant deficit in electricity generation, contributing to the collapse of the National Electric System. This has led to widespread blackouts that severely affect the daily lives of Cubans, who are facing prolonged power outages across all provinces. The situation is worsened by fuel shortages and the lack of maintenance of other power plants.
Why does the Antonio Guiteras thermoelectric plant have recurring failures?
The Antonio Guiteras thermoelectric plant, with over 35 years of operation, has not received major maintenance in decades. This lack of intervention has led to significant deterioration of its components, causing frequent breakdowns. The Cuban regime's inability to invest in its energy infrastructure is one of the main reasons for its continuous failures, reflecting a broader structural problem in the country's electrical system.
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