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The Electric Union of Cuba (UNE) reported that on Monday, September 29, the National Electric System (SEN) is facing a generation deficit of nearly 1,900 megawatts (MW), which will extend the blackouts that have been affecting the country for months.
According to the official report, the availability in the morning hours was 1,630 MW compared to a demand of 2,913 MW, resulting in an impact of 1,315 MW. At noon, an impact of 1,250 MW was estimated, while during the nighttime peak, availability is projected at 1,680 MW against a demand of 3,500 MW, which would lead to a deficit of 1,790 MW and an impact of up to 1,860 MW.
The state-owned company specified that the previous day, the electric service was affected for 24 hours, with a peak of 1,894 MW at 8:50 p.m., exceeding expectations due to the outage of two units at the Renté Thermoelectric Power Plant (CTE). The situation worsened last night with the unexpected shutdown of units 1, 2, 5, and 6 at Energás Jaruco due to the closure of the main gas valve, which increased outages by 300 MW starting at 11:02 p.m.
The main reported incidents include the breakdown of unit 2 at the Felton Thermal Power Plant, unit 5 at the Nuevitas Thermal Power Plant, and three blocks at Renté. Additionally, units 1 and 2 at the Santa Cruz Thermal Power Plant and unit 4 at the Carlos Manuel de Céspedes Thermal Power Plant in Cienfuegos are under maintenance. The UNE acknowledged that 310 MW remain out of service due to thermal limitations.
The situation is compounded by problems with fuel and lubricants. In total, 57 distributed generation plants, which provide 483 MW, are halted due to a lack of fuel, while another 154 MW remain unavailable due to insufficient lubricant, resulting in a total of 637 MW affected.
Although the UNE highlighted that the 31 new photovoltaic solar parks contributed 2,414 megawatt-hours (MWh) on Sunday, with a peak power of 435 MW around noon, this contribution is insufficient to cover the deficit faced by the system.
In Havana, the Electric Company reported that since 5:08 p.m. on Sunday, blackouts occurred that simultaneously affected all six districts of the capital. The peak impact was 301 MW at 11:50 p.m., which prevented adherence to the official interruption schedule. For this Monday and into the early hours of Tuesday, a new blackout schedule by blocks and times was published, although the entity reiterated that the interruptions depend on the national availability of the SEN.
Frequently Asked Questions about Blackouts in Cuba
Why are blackouts so frequent in Cuba?
Blackouts in Cuba are caused by a significant electricity generation deficit, reaching nearly 1,900 MW due to a lack of maintenance, breakdowns in thermoelectric plants, and issues with fuel and lubricant supply. Although new photovoltaic solar parks have been installed, their contribution is insufficient to offset the country's energy crisis.
How does the electricity deficit affect daily life in Cuba?
The electrical deficit severely affects daily life in Cuba, limiting the ability to refrigerate food, cook, use basic electrical appliances, and access digital services. Additionally, prolonged blackouts negatively impact medical services, small businesses, and urban infrastructure, creating an atmosphere of hopelessness and social discontent.
What are the main causes of the collapse of the electric system in Cuba?
The collapse of the electric system in Cuba is due to multiple factors, including breakdowns in thermoelectric plants, lack of maintenance, and issues with the supply of fuel and lubricants. Furthermore, the electrical infrastructure is outdated and relies heavily on thermoelectric plants, which exacerbates the situation in the absence of adequate investment in renewable energy.
What measures is the Cuban government taking to address the energy crisis?
The Cuban government has attempted to implement measures, such as the installation of new photovoltaic solar parks and the scheduling of blackouts to maintain the thermal power plants. However, these actions have proven insufficient to resolve the energy crisis, and the lack of investment and proper management remains an underlying issue that prevents the guarantee of a stable electricity supply.
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