Related videos:
The National Electric System (SEN) of Cuba once again demonstrated its vulnerability on Wednesday, January 7, as the country experienced power outages that would affect service for almost the entire day.
According to the Unión Eléctrica (UNE) in Facebook, on Tuesday the highest impact from a generation capacity deficit was recorded at 6:20 PM, with 1710 MW out of operation.
According to the UNE, the service was partially restored at 1:54 this morning, but at 4:54 am the disruption began again.
By 6:30 a.m., the total availability of the SEN was only 1550 MW, while the demand reached 2040 MW, resulting in a deficit of 520 MW.
At peak times, an impact of 750 MW is expected.
The main incidents included breakdowns in four units of the Mariel, Nuevitas, Felton, and Antonio Maceo power plants.
Additionally, two blocks of the Santa Cruz and Carlos Manuel de Céspedes power plants in Cienfuegos are under maintenance.
The limitations in thermal generation left 560 MW out of service.
The issues due to fuel shortages continue to be a critical factor as well.
The UNE reported 100 distributed generation plants with 877 MW affected, along with 150 MW unavailable due to a lack of lubricant, raising the total MW affected by this issue to 1,027.
Regarding the forecast for peak hours, demand is expected to reach 3200 MW, with an availability of only 1550 MW, resulting in a deficit of 1650 MW and an estimated impact of 1680 MW.
Although the production of the 34 new photovoltaic solar parks reached 3062 MWh, with a maximum output of 649 MW, this figure is insufficient to offset the chronic electricity generation crisis.
For its part, the Electric Company of Havana also reported interruptions lasting 7 hours and 46 minutes, with a peak of 196 MW at 6:20 PM. Service was restored at 8:41 PM.
"Due to the low availability in generation, the scheduled plan could not be fulfilled," the company specified.
"In the early morning, the service was not affected. At the close of the report, there is no disruption due to a deficit," he added.
The situation highlights the Cuban government's inability to ensure a stable and reliable electricity supply, despite repeated announcements regarding supposed improvements in the National Electric System.
Meanwhile, millions of households and businesses continue to face prolonged power outages that impact daily life and the economy of the country.
Filed under: