After the second weekend of August, the Unión Eléctrica de Cuba (UNE) still struggles to stabilize the national electro-energy system (SEN) and provide reliable service to its customers, which include all Cubans, as the UNE is a monopoly.
This Tuesday, as has been the case almost daily since the beginning of the year, especially during these summer months, Cubans will once again face planned power outages imposed by the state-run company. Despite promises of relief during the summer, the government of Miguel Díaz-Canel remains unable to resolve the ongoing electro-energy crisis that has left the country semi-paralyzed and its population in a state of constant uncertainty.
The repair and maintenance work on thermoelectric plants conducted from January to June, aimed at achieving a "better summer," resulted in frequent and prolonged outages (up to 20 hours) for ordinary Cubans, especially those living in the central and eastern provinces. However, it has been rare for a day to pass without households across the island experiencing a blackout this summer.
Nevertheless, the state company led by Alfredo López Valdés continues to issue reports on social media, as if the daily misfortunes it announces are a natural part of Cuban life. This Monday, the company estimated "an availability of 2,730 MW and a maximum demand of 3,050 MW, resulting in a deficit of 320 MW. If conditions persist, a 390 MW impact is forecasted during peak hours."
As usual, UNE's blackout forecasts often fall short of reality, despite the lack of a way to verify the company's data. While on the previous day they warned of 300MW impacts, on Monday they acknowledged that the actual impact reached 356 MW. Of the six thermoelectric plants reported as "damaged" on Sunday, the state company announced on Monday that only four remained non-operational, with unit 6 of the CTE Rente in the process of restarting.
However, "the availability of the SEN at 07:00 hours is 2,580 MW, with a demand of 2,320 MW and the entire system in service," leading UNE to estimate "a maximum impact of 150 MW due to generation capacity deficit during midday hours."
Understanding Cuba's Power Outage Crisis
In light of the ongoing power outages affecting Cuba, here are some frequently asked questions that can help provide a clearer understanding of the situation.
What is causing the frequent power outages in Cuba?
The frequent power outages in Cuba are primarily due to the inability of the national electro-energy system (SEN) to meet the demand. This is exacerbated by ongoing maintenance issues and aging infrastructure in the thermoelectric plants.
How long do these outages typically last?
Outages can range from a few hours to as long as 20 hours, depending on maintenance schedules and unforeseen breakdowns in the power plants.
Has the Cuban government proposed any solutions?
While the government has promised improvements and conducted maintenance work, these measures have so far proven insufficient to resolve the crisis, leaving the population in a continued state of uncertainty.