Cuban leader Miguel Díaz-Canel has assigned Prime Minister Manuel Marrero Cruz to oversee the repair of the malfunction that has taken the Antonio Guiteras Thermoelectric Plant (CTE) in Matanzas offline from the National Electric System (SEN).
"This Saturday morning, we visited the Antonio Guiteras Thermoelectric Plant in Matanzas. An intense process of repair and maintenance is underway for its upcoming synchronization with the National Electric System," wrote Marrero on his profile on X (formerly Twitter).
Sharing pictures from an air-conditioned room, the official noted that he saw "a dedicated and committed team performing their critical tasks." He added, "We conveyed the recognition from the highest leadership of the country and the trust the people have placed in them to all the workers."
Since early Wednesday, the Antonio Guiteras Thermoelectric Plant in Matanzas has been offline due to an "issue" with the oil control, authorities said. Initially, it was reported that the outage would last 24 hours, but officials later announced it would extend to seven days.
The management of the largest power plant in the country stated in a Facebook post that technicians would "use every minute to clean and maintain other equipment that also needs it" during the following week.
By Thursday, the Guiteras plant had not reconnected to the SEN as expected, following yet another breakdown that left the country with reduced power generation capacity since Wednesday morning.
This Saturday, it was revealed that the extent of the damage was greater than anticipated, forcing them to bring forward the maintenance scheduled for September.
The Antonio Guiteras CTE, located in a crucial region with high electrical demand, is vital for mitigating power outages in Cuba. However, its recent history of failures and shutdowns underscores an urgent need for investments and maintenance in the country's energy infrastructure to ensure more stable and reliable operations.
In this scenario, the Cuban population continues to endure daily power outages lasting several hours.
Frequently Asked Questions about Antonio Guiteras Power Plant Repairs and Cuban Energy Issues
Here are some common questions and answers regarding the recent repairs at the Antonio Guiteras Thermoelectric Plant and the broader energy challenges in Cuba.
What caused the Antonio Guiteras Thermoelectric Plant to go offline?
The plant went offline due to an issue with the oil control system, as reported by authorities.
How long is the repair expected to take?
Initially, the repair was expected to take 24 hours, but officials later extended the duration to seven days.
Why is the Antonio Guiteras plant important for Cuba?
The Antonio Guiteras plant is crucial for reducing power outages in Cuba, especially in regions with high electrical demand.