The energy crisis in Cuba remains dire, as the Unión Eléctrica (UNE) reported just 1,610 MW available against a demand of 2,000 MW at 7:00 a.m. this Friday, leading to a shortfall of 456 MW. According to their daily update shared on Facebook, the peak evening hours are expected to see a supply of 1,745 MW, while demand could soar to 3,100 MW. This discrepancy translates into a massive deficit of 1,355 MW, with anticipated disruptions affecting 1,425 MW.
Compounding the issue, 8 MW are offline in Artemisa due to damages caused by Hurricane Rafael. This highlights the ongoing widespread blackouts impacting both citizens and essential production sectors. Just yesterday, power generation deficits resulted in outages from 5:34 a.m. until 12:27 a.m. the following day, with a peak disruption of 1,466 MW at 6:10 p.m.
The situation is exacerbated by breakdowns in critical units, specifically unit 5 at the Mariel power station and units 3 and 6 at the Renté plant. Additional power stations, such as the Santa Cruz facility, along with others in Cienfuegos and Nuevitas, are under maintenance. Distributed generation efforts also face hurdles, with 30 plants offline due to fuel shortages, impacting 334 MW.
The CDE Moa is anticipated to add 135 MW during peak hours, but the crisis remains far from resolved. The nation's limited thermal capacity and frequent equipment failures perpetuate a cycle of uncertainty, leaving millions of Cubans grappling with routine power outages and little hope for improvement.
Some Positive News Amidst Challenges
Amidst these challenges, the UNE announced early Friday morning that the Lidio Ramón Pérez Thermoelectric Plant, commonly referred to as Felton, is back online. "ETE 'Lidio Ramón Pérez' Felton contributing 220 MW once again to the National Electric System," the UNE shared on social media shortly before 7 a.m. on December 6.
Understanding Cuba's Energy Crisis
What is causing the energy crisis in Cuba?
The energy crisis in Cuba is caused by a combination of factors including outdated infrastructure, frequent equipment failures, fuel shortages, and damages from natural events like hurricanes.
How are power outages impacting daily life in Cuba?
Power outages are significantly disrupting daily life in Cuba, affecting everything from household activities to essential services and industrial operations, leading to widespread inconvenience and economic impact.
What steps are being taken to address the power shortages?
Efforts to address power shortages include maintenance of power plants, attempts to increase fuel supplies, and bringing additional power units online, though these measures have provided limited relief.