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The Cuban electrical system is experiencing one of its worst year-end crises, with widespread disruptions throughout the 24 hours of Monday, December 22, and a deficit that exceeds 1,900 megawatts (MW) this Tuesday, as reported by the Electric Union (UNE).
The state entity specified that the highest impact recorded yesterday was 1,984 MW at 6:20 PM, and that this morning the availability of the National Electric System (SEN) barely reaches 1,424 MW, against a demand of 2,326 MW.
This means that more than 940 MW of demand cannot be met due to a lack of generation capacity.
Breakdowns and maintenance halt key plants
Among the main incidents are breakdowns in units 5 and 6 of the Antonio Maceo Thermal Power Plant, unit 5 of the Mariel Thermal Power Plant, and unit 2 of the Felton Thermal Power Plant.
In addition, units 6 of the Mariel Power Plant, 2 of the Santa Cruz Power Plant, and 4 of the Carlos Manuel de Céspedes Power Plant in Cienfuegos are under maintenance.
In total, 504 MW remain offline due to limitations in thermal generation, a situation that exacerbates the already precarious availability of the system.
The shortage of fuel and lubricants exacerbates the crisis
The note from UNE also acknowledges serious fuel shortages that are affecting 94 distributed generation plants with 866 MW, in addition to 108 MW at the Moa Fuel Plant and an additional 140 MW that are out of service due to a lack of lubricants.
In total, 1,114 MW remain unavailable due to this reason.
The state-owned company anticipates the inclusion of unit 6 of the Renté CTE, with only 45 MW, during peak hours. This figure is insufficient compared to an estimated peak demand of 3,400 MW.
If current conditions persist, the UNE forecasts a deficit of 1,931 MW and a total impact of up to 1,961 MW during the night of this Tuesday, the eve of Christmas Eve.
While the Government maintains its rhetoric of "energy recovery," the reality points to a structural crisis in the national electrical system, marked by years of mismanagement, technological aging, and dependence on imported fossil fuels.
Citizens are facing another day of prolonged blackouts, with no clear expectations for improvement.
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