Related videos:
Unit 5 of the Antonio Maceo (Renté) thermoelectric plant in Santiago de Cuba was taken offline on Wednesday afternoon due to a malfunction, according to official information.
The Electric Union of Cuba specified that at 5:59 PM, a “water feed leak at the station” caused the disconnection of the unit.
The available communication does not specify the estimated recovery time, the extent of the impacts on generation or other additional causes related to the breakdown.
Until new official updates are issued, information regarding the diagnosis and repair process for the reinstatement of the unit to service remains pending.
This week, several issues have kept the Renté out of the system. A fire in the early hours of Sunday affected the fuel oil generators at the Santiago de Cuba thermoelectric plant, amidst the complex energy situation the country is facing.
The incident began around 1:00 am on September 21, when flames were detected in the auxiliary generation facilities that use heavy fuel oil.
Forces from fire units 1 and 4, located in Martí and Vista Alegre, were immediately deployed, along with tank trucks from Agua Santiago, equipment from the Red Cross, and technical brigades from the Electric Union (UNE).
That fire occurred just hours after Unit 5 of Renté went out of service due to a leak in the furnace at 6:50 AM on Saturday.
The day before, Unit 3 of the same plant had also gone offline, just 11 hours after its synchronization, due to a "low vacuum" issue.
These consecutive failures leave Renté virtually without the ability to provide stable support to the National Electroenergetic System (SEN), despite being one of the most important plants in eastern Cuba.
UNE forecasted this Wednesday that during the peak evening hours, the availability would be 2,010 MW compared to a maximum demand of 3,650 MW, resulting in a deficit of 1,640 MW.
If the situation remains unchanged, the expected impact would be around 1,710 MW, but the exit of the Renté further exacerbates the deficit.
Frequently Asked Questions about the Situation of the Renté Power Plant and the Energy Crisis in Cuba
What caused the outage of Unit 5 at Renté?
Unit 5 of the Renté thermoelectric plant went out of service due to a leak in the feed water station, according to the Electric Union of Cuba. Such technical issues are common in Cuban plants, reflecting the obsolescence and lack of maintenance of the national electric system.
What is the impact of the breakdown at Renté on the Cuban electrical system?
The service outage of Renté exacerbates the already critical energy situation in Cuba, increasing the generation deficit and prolonging blackouts. The generation deficit could reach 1,710 MW, affecting a large part of the population with extended power cuts.
What other problems has the Renté thermoelectric plant faced recently?
The Renté thermoelectric plant has faced multiple incidents, such as fires and technical failures in its units. Recently, a fire affected the fuel oil generators, and units 3 and 5 have gone out of service repeatedly due to breakdowns, reflecting the system's fragility.
Why is the Cuban electrical system so vulnerable to breakdowns?
The Cuban electrical system is vulnerable due to the obsolescence of its plants, lack of proper maintenance, and shortage of spare parts. Furthermore, the energy crisis is exacerbated by the shortage of fuel and the government's inability to implement effective and sustainable solutions.
Filed under: