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The energy crisis in Cuba continues to worsen without signs of an immediate solution, in a scenario marked by a lack of generation capacity and the ongoing deterioration of the national electric system, a situation that reflects years of insufficient investment and inefficient management.
According to the report from this Friday by Unión Eléctrica (UNE), the country experienced service disruptions throughout the entire previous day, with continuous outages that extended into the early hours of today.
The most critical moment was recorded at 7:00 PM, when the deficit reached 1,847 MW, a figure that highlights the system's inability to meet the demand.
On the morning of March 20th, the situation remained critical. At 6:00 AM, the system availability was only 1,216 MW against a demand of 2,100 MW, leaving 917 MW unmet.
For the noon period, it is estimated that the impact will reach 1,100 MW, which suggests that the day will again be characterized by prolonged service interruptions.
The deterioration of the system can largely be attributed to the decommissioning of multiple generating units.
Currently, six units are out of service due to breakdowns at the Mariel, Santa Cruz, Felton, and Antonio Maceo thermoelectric plants, further limiting operational capacity. In addition, there are two more units halted for maintenance at the Mariel and Nuevitas plants.
The situation worsens with 437 MW that are unavailable due to limitations in thermal generation, a structural problem that continues to affect the stability of the electrical system.
During the peak nighttime hours, the situation will be even more complex.
The UNE anticipates a supply of 1,216 MW compared to an estimated maximum demand of 3,050 MW.
This would create a deficit of 1,834 MW and an impact that could reach 1,864 MW, figures that reflect a system on the brink, unable to guarantee electricity supply during peak consumption times.
In the midst of this crisis, the generation of renewable energy remains inadequate to compensate for the decline of the traditional system.
The 51 solar photovoltaic parks generated 1,505 MWh, with a maximum power output of 236 MW at noon. This contribution, while significant, falls far short of the country's actual needs.
The situation is also severely impacting the capital.
According to the Electric Company of Havana, the power service was interrupted for 20 hours on Thursday, with a maximum impact of 322 MW recorded at 7:30 PM. Additionally, it was necessary to implement emergency cuts of 60 MW to try to stabilize the system.
Although the service was restored around midnight, authorities warn that power outages will continue depending on system availability, without defined schedules, which increases uncertainty for the population.
This situation confirms the deep deterioration of the Cuban energy system, where constant breakdowns, prolonged maintenance, and lack of installed capacity have led to widespread blackouts.
The situation not only affects the daily lives of millions of citizens but also impacts the economy, basic services, and food preservation, in a context where the population is already facing multiple shortages.
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