Cuba is grappling with a severe energy crisis as power outages reached a generation capacity shortfall of 1,363 MW on Monday, according to the Unión Eléctrica (UNE). The most significant disruptions occurred during the night, precisely at 8:20 PM, due to demand surpassing planned levels, as stated by the UNE in a Facebook post.
As of 7:00 AM on Tuesday, the availability of the National Electric System (SEN) was at 2,100 MW, while demand was at 2,565 MW, resulting in a 500 MW shortfall. The situation is expected to worsen throughout the day, with a predicted deficit of 750 MW.
Challenges in Meeting Peak Demand
In a statement broadcast on Cuban television, Lázaro Guerra Hernández, the general director of electricity at the Ministry of Energy and Mines, indicated that power outages would persist throughout the day, despite an increase in generation capacity. During today's peak hours, partial reintegration of some units is anticipated: unit 5 of the Mariel Thermoelectric Plant with 70 MW, the Regla barge with 45 MW, and the Santiago de Cuba barge with 50 MW.
Even with these additions, the estimated availability will be 2,265 MW, compared to a maximum projected demand of 3,350 MW, resulting in a deficit of 1,085 MW and a projected shortfall of 1,155 MW during peak hours.
Operational Struggles and Maintenance Issues
Currently, units 5 and 8 of the Mariel Thermoelectric Plant and unit 2 of the Felton Plant are out of service due to breakdowns, while unit 2 of the Santa Cruz Plant and unit 5 of the Renté Plant are undergoing maintenance. The total limitations on thermal generation amount to 553 MW.
Additionally, 38 distributed generation plants are offline due to fuel shortages, along with the Regla and Santiago de Cuba barges, contributing an additional 265 MW shortfall, of which 170 MW are from distributed groups and 95 MW from the barges.
The persistent energy deficit remains a critical issue for the country, with no immediate solutions to stabilize the electric situation in sight.