The synchronization of the Antonio Guiteras thermoelectric plant last Sunday has not resulted in an improvement in Cuba's electrical situation. For this Wednesday, an impact of 665 MW is expected during peak hours, but it is likely that the prediction of experts from the Unión Eléctrica (UNE) will be exceeded. This was the case on Tuesday, when the maximum impact of 701 MW exceeded the initial forecast by 100 MW due to an "increase in demand during those hours," according to the report.
The previous day, service was affected due to a generation capacity deficit from 11:00 am to 12:13 am, and then again from 3:45 pm, continuing throughout the early hours of Wednesday. For today, the UNE reported breakdowns in six blocks of four thermoelectric plants, along with 44 distributed generation plants out of service due to lack of fuel, representing 280 MW affected. Additionally, there are thermal generation limitations amounting to 352 MW.
Understanding Cuba's Power Outages
Here we address some common questions and concerns about the ongoing power outages in Cuba, focusing on the root causes and potential solutions.
Why are there frequent power outages in Cuba?
Frequent power outages in Cuba are primarily due to a combination of aging infrastructure, lack of maintenance, and fuel shortages, which limit the country's capacity to generate and distribute electricity effectively.
What is the impact of fuel shortages on power generation?
Fuel shortages significantly impact power generation by causing distributed generation plants to go offline, reducing the overall electricity supply and leading to longer and more frequent outages.
Are there any plans to improve Cuba's power grid?
While there are discussions about modernizing Cuba's power grid, significant investment and international cooperation are required to make substantial improvements, which face numerous political and economic challenges.