On Monday, Cuba experienced a total disconnection from the National Electroenergetic System (SEN), according to the Electric Union (UNE), which confirmed the system's collapse and announced the activation of restoration protocols.
“There was a total disconnection of the National Electric System. Protocols for restoration are beginning to be implemented. We will continue to provide updates,” stated the entity in a post shared on Facebook.
For its part, the Ministry of Energy and Mines reported that the causes of the blackout are being investigated, without providing further details.
The nationwide blackout occurred after a previous day that was already marked by severe disruptions to the service.
According to the UNE report for March 16, there were interruptions due to capacity deficit for 24 hours the day before, and these issues also persisted throughout the early morning.
The highest reported impact the day before was 1,891 megawatts at 7:20 p.m., a figure that, according to the company itself, exceeded the planned amount due to a demand higher than anticipated.
Before the total disconnection, the situation of the National Electric System (SEN) was already critical. At 6:00 a.m. on March 16, the National Electric Union (UNE) reported an availability of only 1,140 megawatts compared to a demand of 2,347, with 1,220 megawatts affected at that time.
For the noon schedule, an impact of 1,250 megawatts was estimated.
Breakdowns and low fuel mark another day of blackouts
The official report also outlined a long list of incidents in the generation system.
Among the outages, UNE mentioned unit 5 of the Mariel Power Plant; units 2 and 3 of the Santa Cruz Power Plant; unit 2 of the Felton Power Plant; and units 3 and 6 of the Antonio Maceo Power Plant. In addition, maintenance work was being carried out on unit 6 of the Mariel Power Plant, unit 5 of the Nuevitas Power Plant, and unit 4 of the Carlos Manuel de Céspedes Power Plant in Cienfuegos.
In addition, the company reported 492 megawatts offline due to limitations in thermal generation.
Despite that outlook, the UNE still anticipated the entry of unit 4 of the CTE Cienfuegos with 80 megawatts during peak hours, which was "in the process of starting up."
With that assumption, I estimated a capacity of 1,220 megawatts against a maximum projected demand of 3,150, which implied a deficit of 1,930 megawatts and a forecasted impact of 1,960 megawatts during the peak consumption hour.
The official report also included the contribution of solar generation.
According to UNE, the 52 new photovoltaic solar parks produced 4,262 megawatt hours, with a maximum output of 732 megawatts during peak hours. However, this contribution did not prevent the worsening of the crisis or the subsequent total collapse of the system.
With the confirmation of the total disconnection from the national electricity grid, the Island shifted from a situation of severe energy deficit to a widespread blackout.
The system was already operating under extremely fragile conditions before the total disconnection announced by the UNE.
Cuba is experiencing a serious energy crisis characterized by the aging of thermal power plants, a shortage of fuel, and constant breakdowns, factors that result in daily blackouts in much of the country.
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