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The Antonio Guiteras thermoelectric power plant, the largest single unit for power generation in Cuba, is undergoing maintenance this Monday due to the detection of a new technical defect that currently prevents its re-entry into the National Electric System (SEN).
According to the official newspaper Girón from the Matanzas province, the efforts are focused on repairing a malfunction located in the so-called Nodriza, a structure located at the bottom of the boiler.
Román Pérez Castañeda, the technical director of the plant, stated that the work was proceeding "according to schedule," but he acknowledged that a hydraulic test revealed an unexpected problem that requires intervention within the furnace.
"Only during the hydraulic test did a new defect appear in the Nodriza that prevents the start of the launch process," he explained to the mentioned outlet.
Complex and unclear-dated work
The executive detailed that in order to reach the damaged pipe, it is necessary to break through large amounts of slag and refractory material accumulated inside the furnace, making it difficult to accurately estimate how long the repair will take.
"In the worst-case scenario, we would work all day today... but so far, we are still set to synchronize tomorrow," said Pérez Castañeda, hinting at the fragility of the process.
Among the actions taken in recent days were: eliminating leaks to reduce water consumption, cleaning regenerative air heaters, repairing and changing valves, cleaning the condenser, making adjustments to automatic and electrical systems, correcting unsafe conditions in the boiler, and inspecting components of the generator.
An outage from the SEN amid constant blackouts
The Guiteras left the SEN last Thursday to address issues related to excessive water consumption, a recurring problem in aging infrastructure operating at its limits.
The extension of maintenance occurs as Cuba undergoes a deep energy crisis, with prolonged blackouts and a lack of fuel, in an electrical system marked by decades of underinvestment and accumulated deterioration.
Although the authorities try to convey a sense of control, the emergence of "new" defects during planned repairs confirms the precariousness of Cuba's thermoelectric sector and the ongoing uncertainty regarding the stability of electrical service on the Island.
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