The Cuban government has announced the reactivation of the Lidio Ramón Pérez (Felton) Thermoelectric Plant in Holguín after a 23-day maintenance process. According to a Facebook post by the Unión Eléctrica (UNE), following inspections and startup procedures, Unit 1 is expected to contribute 230 MW to the National Electroenergetic System (SEN) in the coming hours.
"The dedication and efforts of the workers successfully adhered to the maintenance schedule, completing 874 tasks over 23 days," the post detailed. However, this positive development does not translate to a reduction in the extensive power outages that have been plaguing Cubans in recent months.
The UNE reported on Friday that there is a generation capacity deficit affecting the entire 24-hour period, with a shortfall of 600 MW during daylight hours and a peak shortfall of 870 MW during the evening's highest demand.
On Thursday, power service was disrupted throughout the day, with the maximum outage reaching 1162 MW at 8:10 PM. Currently, three units at the Mariel, Nuevitas, and Felton power plants are out of service due to malfunctions, and three more units at the Mariel and Santa Cruz plants are offline for maintenance.
Additionally, there are limitations in thermal generation amounting to 523 MW, and 58 distributed generation plants are not operating due to a lack of fuel, affecting 387 MW of capacity.
Unit 1 of the Felton plant had been offline since May 6 for scheduled maintenance, initially projected to last 25 days. Amidst the ongoing energy crisis sweeping the country, with blackouts exceeding 18 hours, the shutdown of the Holguín plant exacerbated the already dire situation for the population.
Understanding Cuba's Energy Crisis
The following questions and answers provide insights into the ongoing energy crisis in Cuba, its causes, and potential solutions.
What is causing the frequent blackouts in Cuba?
The frequent blackouts in Cuba are primarily due to a deficit in electricity generation capacity, maintenance issues, equipment malfunctions, and fuel shortages.
How much power is the Felton plant expected to contribute?
The Felton plant's Unit 1 is expected to contribute 230 MW to the National Electroenergetic System (SEN).
What are the current limitations in Cuba's power generation?
Current limitations include 523 MW in thermal generation and 387 MW affected due to 58 distributed generation plants being offline because of fuel shortages.
Why was Unit 1 of the Felton plant offline?
Unit 1 of the Felton plant was offline for scheduled maintenance, which began on May 6 and was initially expected to last 25 days.