Due to a significant shortfall in power generation capacity, the Unión Eléctrica (UNE) announced that power outages will affect various regions of Cuba this Tuesday. The National Electric System (SEN) continues to face difficulties as several units remain out of service due to malfunctions. Specifically, unit 5 of Mariel, unit 1 of the Santa Cruz Thermoelectric Plant (CTE), unit 2 of the Felton Thermoelectric Plant, and unit 5 of Rente are currently offline, according to a post on Facebook.
Thermal generation limitations amount to 515 MW, and 33 distributed generation plants, representing a total of 213 MW, are inoperative due to a lack of fuel. To alleviate the situation during peak hours, the UNE plans to bring unit 5 of the Mariel CTE online with 60 MW and activate distributed generation engines awaiting maintenance, contributing an additional 25 MW.
With these measures, an estimated 2515 MW will be available against a projected peak demand of 3050 MW, resulting in a deficit of 525 MW. If current conditions persist, up to 595 MW could be affected during peak demand hours.
Yesterday, the electrical service was disrupted due to a generation capacity deficit starting at 9:45 p.m., with service restoration occurring at 2:42 a.m. today.
This scenario of prolonged blackouts highlights the fragility of Cuba's electrical system, exacerbated by inadequate maintenance and fuel shortages. These issues continue to impact daily life, underscoring the regime's failure to meet the needs of the populace.
Understanding Cuba's Electrical Challenges
In light of the ongoing power generation issues in Cuba, here are some frequently asked questions and their answers.
What are the main causes of power outages in Cuba?
The primary causes include malfunctions in key power units, inadequate maintenance, and a shortage of fuel for distributed generation plants.
How does the government plan to address the power deficit?
The government aims to mitigate the deficit by bringing offline units back into service and activating maintenance-awaiting distributed generation engines, though these measures only partially address the issue.
How long are the power outages expected to last?
The duration of outages can vary, but recent disruptions have lasted several hours, particularly during peak demand times.