The Havana Electric Company announced on Tuesday that, due to the current state of the National Electric System (SEN), emergency power outages are necessary in the capital on November 5th. These interruptions will affect three of the four sections into which Havana's population is divided.
Power Cut Schedule: For Blocks 1 and 2, electricity will be cut from 10:00 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. For Block 4, the suspension will occur from 2:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m.
The Electric Company urged residents to manage their power use carefully. "We ask the population to use electricity rationally to reduce consumption in the province, prevent network overloads, and avoid service interruptions," they stated.
Storm Threats and Electrical Concerns
In a more recent update, the Electric Company noted the forecast of "heavy rains and winds in the coming hours due to Tropical Storm Rafael." The Provincial Command Post has been activated in response.
The state entity provided six phone numbers for reporting service disruptions or failures. Cubans are increasingly anxious as Rafael is expected to intensify into a Category 1 or 2 hurricane before reaching Cuban shores, posing a significant threat to the already vulnerable National Electric System.
Previously restored after a complete collapse, the SEN is once again at risk due to potential impacts from severe weather events like high winds and heavy rains that could jeopardize the country's electrical infrastructure.
Memories of Past Disasters and Current Challenges
As Rafael moves toward western Cuba, memories of Hurricane Oscar loom large. Oscar brought a massive blackout lasting over three days, cutting off electricity, television, and internet for most of the population, leaving radio as the only means of communication.
This Tuesday, the Cuban Electric Union (UNE) predicted "an availability of 1,730 MW against a maximum demand of 3,100 MW, resulting in a deficit of 1,370 MW. If conditions persist, a shortfall of 1,440 MW is expected, with the most significant impact in the central-eastern zone."
Cuba braces for Rafael's arrival with an energy supply barely meeting half of the country's demand, disproportionately affecting the eastern region. Concerns also revolve around the main thermoelectric plant, Antonio Guiteras in Matanzas, whose performance is critical to the fragile SEN.
Currently, four thermoelectric generation units are "out of service" (unit 5 of CTE Mariel, unit 5 of CTE Nuevitas, unit 2 of CTE Felton, and unit 3 of CTE Renté). Additionally, four other units are undergoing "maintenance" (unit 2 of CTE Santa Cruz, unit 3 of CTE Cienfuegos, unit 1 of CTE Felton, and unit 5 of CTE Renté).