Related videos:
Cuba experienced power outages throughout Saturday and continues to face disruptions this Sunday, with a generation deficit exceeding 1,000 MW during peak hours, reported the Electric Union (UNE).
According to the daily informational note from the entity, the National Electric System (SEN) recorded a maximum impact of 1,272 MW on Saturday at 7:00 PM.
That figure was increased by 560 MW lost in the provinces from Las Tunas to Guantánamo due to Hurricane Melissa.
The availability of the SEN at 6:00 a.m. this Sunday was 1,327 MW, compared to a demand of 1,790 MW, resulting in 490 MW affected by capacity deficit. Affected capacity is forecasted to be around 470 MW at noon.
Among the main causes are breakdowns in unit 2 of the Lidio Ramón Pérez thermoelectric power plant (CTE), located in Felton (Holguín), and unit 5 of the Diez de Octubre CTE (Nuevitas, Camagüey), in addition to scheduled maintenance in Santa Cruz del Norte and Cienfuegos.
There are also 547 MW limited in thermal generation and 483 MW unavailable due to lack of fuel and lubricant.
According to the UNE, at 6:57 a.m., unit 1 of Felton went online. In this regard, it is estimated that during peak hours it would contribute 200 MW, yet a deficit of 1,073 MW is still anticipated and a total impact of 1,143 MW is expected if current conditions continue.
In Havana, the Electric Company reported through its profile on Facebook interruptions for 8 hours and 55 minutes on Saturday, with a maximum impact of 173 MW at 7:00 p.m.
The service was restored before 8:00 p.m., and it was not necessary to implement planned blackouts at midnight, it was confirmed.
It also published the schedule of outages due to generation deficit in the capital for next week, from November 3 to 9.
Despite the contribution of 21 new photovoltaic solar parks in the west and center of the country, which generated 1,690 MWh, the SEN continues to operate with a critical deficit.
Filed under: