Amidst growing concerns, Cuba experienced a staggering 1,750 MW power outage on Tuesday evening at 6:08 p.m., marking the highest level of disruption in recent months due to a significant shortfall in power generation capacity. Lázaro Manuel Alonso, a spokesperson aligned with the government, revealed on Facebook that this level of disruption exceeded the forecast provided by the Unión Eléctrica earlier that day by 310 MW.
The main contributors to this crisis include the shutdown of Unit 4 at the Central Thermoelectric (CTE) Carlos Manuel de Céspedes, fuel shortages, and various malfunctions across several thermal units. As a result, Havana's Electric Company warned of additional blackouts in the capital due to the unexpected shutdown of Block 4 at the Céspedes plant, with the nearly 1,800 MW deficit far exceeding expectations.
Impact on Havana and Beyond
In a message shared on social media, the company stated, "Block #3 will be affected from 3:00 p.m. until past the peak hours of 6:30 p.m. Block #4 remains affected until 6:30 p.m." Meanwhile, rumors circulate online that the largest plant in the nation, Central Antonio Guiteras, is experiencing a "slight" water leak in its reheater, though this has yet to be confirmed by the authorities.
The combination of these issues has led to extended power outages across various regions, with some areas suffering blackouts lasting up to 20 consecutive hours, according to reports. As these challenges persist, the western part of Cuba braces for the approaching Hurricane Rafael, expected to make landfall in the southeastern part of Havana within hours.
Urgency in Communication Amidst Crisis
"In the absence of traditional media communication, it is crucial to reach every individual to warn about the meteorological situation," Alonso emphasized in his statement. He also mentioned that efforts are ongoing to gradually restore electricity in the hardest-hit areas.