The Unión Eléctrica de Cuba (UNE) continues to struggle with stabilizing the country's electrical supply. On Tuesday, the company reported malfunctions in six thermoelectric units. Combined with a lack of fuel for dozens of distributed generation plants and the collapse of other infrastructures, these issues will result in power outages exceeding 600 MW during peak hours.
"Units 3, 5, and 6 of the CTE Rente, Unit 4 of the CTE Cienfuegos, Unit 6 of the CTE Mariel, and Unit 2 of the CTE Felton are currently out of service. Thermal generation limitations amount to 376 MW. Additionally, 39 distributed generation plants are offline due to fuel shortages, affecting a total of 206 MW," reported UNE on its social media platforms.
The state-run company, led by Alfredo López Valdés, estimates that during peak hours, the available power will be 2,360 MW, while the maximum demand will reach 2,900 MW, resulting in a deficit of 540 MW. Consequently, if current conditions persist, a 610 MW outage is expected during this time.
On the previous day, "the maximum outage during peak hours was 448 MW at 8:20 p.m., coinciding with the peak hour," UNE stated in its communication.
On Monday afternoon, the live broadcast of Canal Habana was interrupted by a power outage, according to a brief message posted on Facebook by the channel. "Dear viewers: We inform you that due to the lack of electrical supply, the broadcast of Canal Habana has been affected, and some of our regular programs were not aired. We apologize for any inconvenience this may have caused," the channel wrote around 6:00 p.m. (local time).
Although the initial post mentioned that the news was "under construction," there were no updates or further explanations provided, and the message was later removed.
Meanwhile, the Observatorio Cubano de Conflictos (OCC) recorded 691 protests and public complaints in Cuba during August. This figure highlights the growing social discontent and questioning of the regime's inability to solve the country's suffocating crisis, including the energy issue. The worsening situation with water, public health, and, once again, the electrical supply has led to an increase in complaints (111) related to public services.
Understanding Cuba's Electrical Crisis
This section aims to address common questions related to the ongoing electrical issues in Cuba, which have led to significant public discontent and frequent power outages.
What are the main causes of power outages in Cuba?
The primary causes include malfunctions in thermoelectric units, fuel shortages for distributed generation plants, and the collapse of other critical infrastructures.
How has the public reacted to the power outages?
The public has expressed significant discontent, with the Observatorio Cubano de Conflictos recording 691 protests and public complaints in August alone, highlighting the growing frustration with the regime's inability to resolve the crisis.
What is the current power deficit during peak hours?
The power deficit during peak hours is currently estimated to be 540 MW, with potential outages reaching up to 610 MW if conditions remain unchanged.