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Cuba arrives at the end of the week with a day that will be marked by severe blackouts due to insufficient power generation.
According to a statement from the Unión Eléctrica (UNE) published on its Facebook wall, on Saturday, September 27, the electricity service was disrupted for 24 hours, with the outage lasting throughout the early hours of Sunday.
The highest impact recorded due to generation capacity deficit reached 1,737 MW at 8:00 PM, a figure higher than planned due to the untimely start of unit 6 at the CTE Mariel.
At 6:00 am this Sunday, the total availability of the National Electric System (SEN) was 1,760 MW against a demand of 2,939 MW, resulting in a deficit of 1,217 MW.
For the timeframe of the peak period, an impact of 1,100 MW is estimated.
Incidents at plants and thermal limitations
The SEN was affected by failures in units at the Felton, Nuevitas, and Renté thermoelectric plants, while maintenance work is being carried out at the Santa Cruz and Carlos Manuel de Céspedes power plants in Cienfuegos.
Additionally, 393 MW remained out of service due to thermal limitations, and another 637 MW were impacted by fuel issues and a lack of lubricant in distributed generation plants.
Forecast for peak hours
During peak demand hours, a partial recovery of 50 MW is expected from distributed generation engines that are currently not operating due to a lack of fuel.
Under these conditions, the estimated availability would be 1,810 MW, compared to a maximum demand of 3,430 MW, resulting in a deficit of 1,620 MW, with impacts of up to 1,690 MW.
Situation in Havana
The Electric Company of Havana (EELH) stated that the electrical service in the capital was affected for 23 hours and 30 minutes.
The supply was restored at 3:08 AM on Sunday, with a maximum impact of 146 MW recorded at 8:50 PM.
The entity emphasized that it was not necessary to impact the planned blocks during the day and that reserve block 5 was not affected.
He reiterated that these interruptions depend exclusively on the demands of the SEN.
Contribution of solar energy
The 31 new photovoltaic solar parks contributed 2,305 MWh, with a maximum capacity of 426 MW during hours of average demand.
Frequently Asked Questions about Power Outages in Cuba
Why are there mass blackouts in Cuba?
The massive blackouts in Cuba are due to a significant deficit in the country's electricity generation. This deficit is caused by the obsolescence of thermal power plants, frequent breakdowns, thermal limitations, lack of fuel and lubricants, as well as poor state management. These conditions have resulted in demand far exceeding the available generation capacity.
How does the lack of fuel affect electricity generation in Cuba?
The lack of fuel limits the operation of distributed generation plants in Cuba, which contributes to the deficit in electricity generation. Many of these plants are inactive due to fuel shortages, resulting in a significant loss in the country’s generation capacity and exacerbating blackouts.
What is the role of solar energy in electricity generation in Cuba?
Although solar photovoltaic parks have been implemented in Cuba and contribute energy to the system, their production is insufficient to cover the structural deficit in electricity generation in the country. Despite generating thousands of MWh, renewable energy still does not compensate for the shortcomings in traditional thermal generation.
What measures are being taken to mitigate blackouts in Cuba?
Cuban authorities have attempted to carry out scheduled maintenance and have promoted the use of renewable energy, such as solar, to improve the situation. However, the lack of an effective strategy and structural issues continue to negatively impact the electrical system. The government insists on the need to rationalize consumption, but long-term solutions remain uncertain.
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