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In recent days, bad news has been pouring in about the Antonio Maceo Thermoelectric Power Plant, better known as Renté, in Santiago de Cuba, one of the most affected by technical failures amid the national energy crisis.
This Thursday, a fault in the 6-kilovolt line of unit number 4 caused a technical drop that led to a fire, as confirmed by the Electric Union (UNE) on social media.
The fire was extinguished by the power plant's firefighting brigade, with support from the fire department, according to preliminary information.
The brief statement did not specify the extent and magnitude of the fire, nor the time it will take to recover from the damages, although the announcement that the incident "resulted in a technical loss" raises concern.
This new failure occurs just a few minutes after UNE reported on Facebook that at 3:24 PM, unit 6 of the CTE Antonio Maceo went offline due to an "electrical problem".
In recent days, the instability of the generating units at the Renté Power Plant has been particularly noticeable, with frequent outages and resynchronizations to the National Electric System (SEN).
Indeed, on Wednesday, at 6:49 PM, Unit 3 of Renté went offline due to "low vacuum", just 89 minutes after rejoining the national grid.
At 5:20 PM, it had come online, and shortly after, at 5:38 PM, Unit 6 synchronized, which was initially announced as a relief for power generation in the eastern part of the country, but nothing could be further from the truth.
Previously, the plant's general director, Jesús Aguilar Hernández, explained to the official press that blocks 3, 5, and 6 were out of operation due to the heavy rains in recent days, while technical teams were working to restart Unit 6 to contribute about 50 MW to the national power grid, which was achieved the following day.
This series of breakdowns coincided with a visit from the leader Miguel Díaz-Canel to the thermoelectric plant, during which he promised improvements by the end of the year.
However, neither the official discourse has managed to convey confidence, nor do the facts corroborate any optimistic narrative: "practice is the criterion of truth," and reality has been clear.
Frequently asked questions about the energy crisis at the Renté thermoelectric plant in Santiago de Cuba
What caused the recent fire at the Renté thermoelectric plant?
The fire was caused by a failure in the 6-kilovolt line of unit number 4 of the Antonio Maceo Thermoelectric Power Plant, also known as Renté. This incident is yet another in the series of failures that the plant has experienced amid Cuba's energy crisis.
What is the current situation of the National Electroenergetic System (SEN) in Cuba?
The National Electric Power System (SEN) is facing a deficit of over 1,700 megawatts during peak hours, which severely affects the electricity supply in the country. The situation is exacerbated by the obsolescence of power plants, incomplete maintenance, and a lack of fuel, leading to prolonged and frequent outages.
How does the Renté crisis affect the population of Santiago de Cuba?
The population of Santiago de Cuba is facing power outages that exceed 20 hours daily due to ongoing issues at the Renté thermoelectric plant. This situation has led to increased citizen discontent, as reflected on social media and in protests across several provinces.
What actions have the Cuban authorities taken in response to the energy crisis?
The authorities have promised repairs and new investments in solar energy, but so far these measures have not managed to resolve the structural crisis of the electric system. The lack of funding and the withdrawal of floating barges due to unpaid debts further complicate the situation.
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