The energy situation in Cuba continues to worsen, with a significant increase in power outages due to a generation capacity deficit that has exceeded 600 MW.
The National Electric Union (UNE) acknowledges that the National Electric System (SEN) experienced service interruptions at various times on Tuesday. The highest recorded impact was 628 MW at 9:50 PM, coinciding with peak hours.
Officials claim there was a "high demand" that surpassed the planned capacity. Additionally, units 1 of Santa Cruz and 3 of Rente did not come online as the UNE had anticipated.
As of 7:00 AM on August 7, the SEN's availability was 2,420 MW, while demand reached 2,370 MW, keeping the entire system operational.
However, service disruptions are expected around midday due to an estimated generation capacity deficit of 200 MW. Thermal generation limitations amount to 558 MW, with 55 distributed generation plants out of service due to fuel shortages, representing an additional impact of 397 MW.
By peak hours, the re-incorporation of units 3 of the CTE Santa Cruz with 30 MW and 6 of the CTE Rente with 30 MW is anticipated, bringing the estimated availability to 2,480 MW against a maximum demand of 3,100 MW, resulting in a deficit of 620 MW.
The government warns that if these conditions persist, an impact of 690 MW is forecasted for that time frame.
In June, authorities stated that power outages would increase due to maintenance work on several Thermoelectric Plants (CTE) to avoid cuts during the summer. This promise was not fulfilled, and during the hottest months, outages were attributed to fuel shortages and increased demand due to the weather.
This situation reflects the ongoing energy crisis on the island, affecting citizens daily and posing serious challenges for managing the electrical supply in the coming months.
Frequently Asked Questions About Cuba's Power Outages
Given the current energy crisis in Cuba, many people have questions about the causes and implications of the ongoing power outages. Here are some frequently asked questions and their answers.
Why is there a significant power outage in Cuba?
The significant power outage in Cuba is primarily due to a generation capacity deficit that has exceeded 600 MW, along with high demand and fuel shortages.
What is the National Electric Union (UNE) doing to address the power outages?
The UNE has been working on re-incorporating certain power units and performing maintenance on thermoelectric plants, although these measures have not fully prevented the outages.
How does the energy crisis affect everyday life in Cuba?
The energy crisis leads to daily power outages, disrupting the lives of citizens and posing significant challenges for managing the electrical supply across the island.