The Antonio Guiteras Thermoelectric Plant in Matanzas was disconnected from Cuba's National Electric System on Sunday, despite having successfully synchronized earlier in the morning. According to official journalist José Miguel Solís, engineer Rubén Campos Olmos reported on Facebook that the plant reached an initial power output of 32 MW at 11:20 am before halting to address a technical issue related to the fuel preparation station.
This adjustment, expected to take about three hours, is part of ongoing efforts to stabilize the plant's operations and ensure sustained performance. Solís noted that experts confirmed the plant’s ability to achieve 32 MW is a testament to the successful repairs made to the boiler, raising hopes for a smooth final synchronization.
Although the journalist posted the update after 5:00 pm, he clarified that the information was accurate as of 4:25 pm, adding, "and now we publish for obvious reasons." Earlier that day, Solís had shared that the parameters were being adjusted to spin the turbine—a delicate task requiring first the stabilization of the boiler pressure at around 100 atmospheres, followed by delivering high-quality steam to the turbine to reach 3,600 revolutions per minute.
Challenges and Human Effort Behind the Operations
Once stable, the unit would attempt synchronization with the National Electric System, a maneuver requiring precise energy delivery balanced with consumption, maintaining a frequency of 60 cycles per second. "Nothing like a home generator!" Solís remarked, as the synchronization process involves not only sustaining itself with the energy provided but also increasing load in coordination with the National Load Dispatch.
Solís also highlighted the human effort behind these operations: exhausting night shifts, technicians working over 48 hours straight, and makeshift office spaces becoming places to shave, shower, and recharge with coffee. Meanwhile, the start-up crew and BTG (Boiler, Turbine, Generator) technicians continuously monitor every detail of this highly precise process.
According to Solís, barring any unforeseen complications or the infamous "Murphy's Law," the unit was expected to be back online by midday, in a moment he described as "an absolute silence that erupts into applause and very Cuban expressions," with the iconic phrase: "Nobody gives up here, damn it."
Optimistic Expectations Despite Past Challenges
Optimistically, it had been announced that the plant would resume operations on Saturday following a planned 96-hour maintenance that began the previous Tuesday. Solís had reported on Facebook that repair work would conclude around 7:00 pm on Saturday, despite facing multiple obstacles.
Campos Olmos, the director of Guiteras, assured on Thursday that efforts were being intensified to restart operations on Saturday for the country's largest energy generator. The National Electric Union had informed last Tuesday about the plant's disconnection for a planned four-day maintenance to address "unpostponable work on the boiler."
Earlier this month, Cuba's largest and most critical thermoelectric plant faced severe operational difficulties, including a gas leak that hindered its full power generation capacity. Consequently, the plant had been producing only 175 megawatts (MW), prompting the decision to pause operations for repairs.