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The Unión Eléctrica (UNE) reported this Tuesday that at 4:00 PM, Unit 3 of the Carlos Manuel de Céspedes Thermoelectric Power Plant in Cienfuegos went out of service due to an oil leak in the turbine pedestal.
The new ruling further exacerbates the already critical situation of the National Electroenergetic System (SEN), which in recent days has operated with historical deficits exceeding 1,800 MW, leaving a large part of the country subjected to prolonged and rotating blackouts.
The output of this unit occurs when the system is already at its maximum capacity, increasing the risk of a widespread blackout if any other significant failure occurs during the peak nighttime hours.
So far, the UNE has not specified how long the affected unit will remain out of service. In the meantime, the Cuban population faces another day of energy uncertainty, with a fragile system that is highly vulnerable to cascading failures.
One failure after another: there is no peace
Just a few minutes ago, the UNE reported that it managed to synchronize the National Electroenergy System (SEN) with the engines of Mariel, the floating barge of Regla, and Unit 4 of Energás Boca de Jaruco, while Unit 8 of the CTE Máximo Gómez was operating with the boiler on.
The announcement on Facebook was presented as a positive sign amid the energy crisis. However, the reality on the streets of Havana deviates from the official optimism. Dozens of users commented on the UNE's own post that they were still without electricity service, despite the supposed partial recovery of generation.
A massive breakdown worsened the crisis in the capital
That announcement was made two hours after a massive failure in the 110 kV power grids caused further service interruptions in Havana around 1:32 PM. According to official information, the failure led to the sudden shutdown of several key units, including:
Unit 8 of the CTE Máximo Gómez (Mariel)
The backup engines of Mariel
The Regla Truck
A Boca de Jaruco Energás machine
The state-owned company later specified that the event caused a total impact of 215 MW in the capital and nearby areas, further worsening the fragile stability of the National Electric System.
Record blackouts and a system at its limit
This new incident occurs amidst the worst energy crisis Cuba has faced in recent years. The country has experienced 16 consecutive days with deficits exceeding 1,800 MW, a figure that highlights the structural collapse of the electrical system.
Just the day before, the maximum impact reached 2,007 MW at 18:40, leaving more than half of the national territory without electricity for several hours. In Havana and the western part of the country, the blackouts have become constant, prolonged, and unpredictable, affecting homes, workplaces, hospitals, and basic services.
Uncertainty for peak hours
The breakdown this Tuesday threatens to worsen the situation for the evening peak hours, when the UNE had already anticipated a deficit of over 1,900 MW, even before this new failure.
So far, the exact causes of the failure in the high-voltage networks have not been explained. Meanwhile, thousands of Havana residents face another day of heat, darkness, and frustration, with an electrical system that survives on temporary fixes, optimistic announcements, and a precariousness that continues to deepen.
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