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The technicians at the Antonio Maceo Thermoelectric Power Plant, better known as Renté, in Santiago de Cuba, are still unable to determine the cause of the failure that has taken several units offline and is keeping the National Electric System on edge.
The director of the facility, Jesús Aguilar Hernández, stated to the provincial telecenter Tele Turquino that, although “there were no fires in the facilities, the electrical system failure persists”, while specialists conduct inspections and diagnostics to proceed with the necessary repairs.
"We are conducting a detailed analysis to identify the exact causes of the problem. Efforts are focused on restoring the plant's operation as quickly as possible, with our specialized technicians in full control of the situation," Aguilar assured.
This contrasts with the explanation given yesterday by the Electric Union (UNE), which referred to a fault in the 6-kilovolt line of unit four that caused a technical failure leading to a fire, which was extinguished by the internal brigade and the fire department.
The extent of the damages and the recovery time were not specified.
Also the day before, unit six went offline just one day after its synchronization.
Just at 6:49 PM on Wednesday, unit three of Renté went offline due to “low vacuum”, just 89 minutes after being integrated into the National Electric System (SEN).
At 5:20 PM, it had come online and shortly after, at 5:38 PM, unit six was synchronized, which was initially announced as a relief for power generation in the east of the country, but nothing could be further from the truth.
Aguilar explained to the official press on Tuesday that the three, five, and six units were out of operation due to the recent heavy rains, while technical crews were trying to start unit six to contribute about 50 MW to the national electrical system, which was achieved a day later.
Although authorities insist that there are no "serious consequences" for the system, power outages are increasing and the population endures cuts of up to 20 hours or more with only brief periods of "lighting".
“Indeed, there are serious consequences,” stated a user: a dark city and a people that can’t take it anymore.
Social media comments are becoming increasingly critical: Neighbors report patches, lack of fuel, poorly repaired equipment, and an unsustainable daily life without electricity, gas, or water.
Frequently Asked Questions About the Energy Crisis at the Renté Thermal Power Plant
What is the origin of the failure at the Renté Thermal Power Plant?
The origin of the failure at the Renté Thermal Power Plant has not yet been identified, despite ongoing inspections and diagnostics. The situation is further complicated by the frequent outages of the units and prior issues, such as the 6-kilovolt line of unit four that recently caused a fire.
What are the consequences of the failures in Renté for the population?
The failures in Renté have resulted in prolonged blackouts exceeding 20 hours a day in several provinces, particularly in Santiago de Cuba. The population is experiencing almost permanent power cuts, which severely impacts the quality of life and has generated increasing citizen unrest.
What measures has the Cuban government taken in response to the energy crisis in Renté?
The Cuban government has promised improvements by the end of the year, but the measures have failed to stop the constant decline of units in Renté. President Miguel Díaz-Canel visited the thermoelectric plant, promising efforts to recover the system, but events have contradicted any optimistic narrative.
Why is the Renté Thermal Power Plant so unstable?
The instability of the Renté Thermal Power Plant is due to its technological obsolescence, lack of comprehensive maintenance, and shortage of spare parts. These conditions have led to recurrent failures in its units, severely impacting the electric generation capacity in eastern Cuba.
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