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The electrical crisis in Cuba once again highlighted the depth of its structural deterioration this Friday.
The Electric Union (UNE) reported disruptions throughout the 24 hours on Thursday, with a maximum disconnection of 1,748 MW at 6:10 PM, a figure that reflects the sustained incapacity of the National Electric System (SEN) to meet the demand.
This Friday at 6:00 AM, there was a total availability of 1,560 MW, compared to a demand of 2,128 MW, resulting in an impact of 598 MW since the early hours of the day.
By noon, the agency projected that the disconnection would increase to 900 MW, a level that effectively keeps the country nearly paralyzed during working hours.
Breakdowns, maintenance, and over 500 MW limited in thermal generation
In its informational note, the UNE outlined a series of incidents that further exacerbate the situation:
Breakdowns in two units of the thermoelectric plants Máximo Gómez (Mariel) and Felton (Holguín), as well as three other blocks under maintenance at the CTE Santa Cruz and Carlos Manuel de Céspedes (Cienfuegos).
These outages add up to 568 MW limited by issues in thermal generation, a figure that continues to be one of the main burdens on the national electricity system.
Fuel shortage: over 1,000 MW out of service
The report confirmed the direct impact of fuel shortages on electricity generation:
99 distributed generation plants, totaling 919 MW unavailable.
83 MW additional capacity halted due to lack of lubricant.
In total, 1,002 MW are out of service solely due to a shortage of fuel and lubricants, highlighting a critical dependence on these resources for the basic operation of the system.
Peak hour forecast: the country will be left with nearly half of the necessary energy supply
For the evening, the UNE projected an even more severe scenario: an estimated availability of 1,560 MW and a demand of 3,300 MW.
This means a deficit of 1,740 MW, with an estimated impact of 1,770 MW if current conditions persist.
This level of disconnection accounts for almost half of the national demand, which foreshadows prolonged and widespread blackouts.
Solar energy: growing contribution, but insufficient against thermal collapse
The UNE highlighted that the 33 new photovoltaic solar parks generated 2,665 MWh during the day, with a peak of 536 MW contributed at noon.
Although these figures indicate progress in renewable capacity, the contribution remains insufficient to offset the massive losses from thermal generation.
Havana: six hours without service and a critical afternoon
The Electric Company of Havana also issued its own statement on Facebook.
It was reported that in the capital, the service was disrupted for six hours on Thursday, with a maximum disconnection of 154 MW at 6:00 PM.
The service was restored at 8:36 PM and it was specified that there were no disruptions due to generation deficits overnight.
The entity reiterated that the interruptions in the city are entirely dependent on the behavior of the SEN, whose instability necessitates both scheduled and unscheduled disconnections in the capital.
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