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The Electric Union (UNE) reported that the National Electric System (SEN) is experiencing a critical situation this Wednesday, October 9, with power service disruptions that affected the entire previous day and into the early morning today, potentially reaching up to 1,590 megawatts (MW) during the peak nighttime hours.
According to the information note published by the UNE, a maximum impact of 1,811 MW was recorded on Tuesday at 7:10 p.m., a figure higher than planned due to an increase in demand and the failure to bring Unit 3 of the Santa Cruz Thermal Power Plant (CTE) online.
Current status of the system
At 6:00 a.m. this Wednesday, the generation availability was only 1,600 MW, compared to a demand of 2,660 MW, resulting in a capacity shortfall of 1,086 MW.
The UNE estimates that by noon, the impacts will remain around 1,050 MW, worsening the already precarious situation of electricity supply in the country.
Incidents in the thermoelectric plants
The main causes of the deficit include breakdowns in the following units:
- Unit 2 of the CTE Felton
- Units 6 and 8 of the Mariel CTE
- Units 3 and 5 of the CTE Renté
Additionally, they are under maintenance:
- Units 1 and 2 of the CTE Santa Cruz
- Unit 4 of the CTE Carlos Manuel de Céspedes (Cienfuegos)
In addition to these, thermal limitations account for 407 MW being offline.
The situation is worsening due to a lack of fuel, which has left 44 distributed generation plants out of service, resulting in a loss of 313 MW. An additional 248 MW are reported to be unavailable due to a lack of lubricant, bringing the total affected capacity to 561 MW for this reason.
The forecast for peak hours
For the peak nighttime schedule, UNE anticipates the commencement of:
- Unit 6 of the Mariel CTE (90 MW)
- Unit 5 of the CTE Renté (70 MW)
With these additions, the availability would rise to 1,760 MW, against an estimated peak demand of 3,280 MW, resulting in a deficit of 1,520 MW. If these conditions persist, the estimated impact during peak hours would be 1,590 MW.
On the other hand, solar generation contributed 2,489 MWh to the system yesterday, with a maximum output of 522 MW during midday, coming from the 32 new photovoltaic solar parks in the country.
Frequently Asked Questions about the Energy Crisis in Cuba
What is the current electricity deficit in Cuba?
The electrical deficit in Cuba has reached 1,590 megawatts (MW) during peak nighttime hours, according to the Electric Union (UNE). This figure reflects a critical situation in the National Electrical System (SEN) that severely impacts the electricity supply across the country.
What are the main causes of the energy deficit in Cuba?
The main causes of the energy deficit in Cuba include breakdowns in several units of the thermoelectric plants, insufficient maintenance, lack of fuel and lubricants, and thermal limitations. These conditions have rendered numerous generation plants, both centralized and distributed, out of operation.
How is this crisis affecting the daily lives of Cubans?
The energy crisis is severely impacting the quality of life in Cuba, causing massive blackouts that affect water supply, health, education, transportation, and economic activity. The population is facing prolonged power outages that often exceed 20 hours a day in various regions of the country.
What measures is the Cuban government taking to mitigate this crisis?
The Cuban government has attempted to mitigate the energy crisis through the planned maintenance of plants and the incorporation of renewable energies, such as solar energy. However, these efforts have been insufficient to cover the structural deficit of the national electrical system.
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