The Cuban Electric Union (UNE) has announced that the Turkish floating power station, Cankuthan Bey, which arrived in Havana Bay on December 8, is not included in its agreement with the Turkish company Karpowership. The barge is expected to depart Cuba after completing the initial setup of its units. "The kps56 barge (Cankuthan Bey) docked in Havana on Sunday, December 8, for initial unit setup and will leave Cuba once completed. This floating power plant is not part of the UNE's contract with Turkish firm Karen Dis Ticaret," stated the UNE on social media.
This official statement seems aimed at contradicting earlier reports that linked the barge's arrival to the urgent need to ease the severe energy crisis currently plaguing the island. As of this Saturday, the island faces another day of widespread and severe blackouts, forecasted to reach nearly 1,200 MW.
With a generation capacity of 80 MW, the Cankuthan Bey was temporarily added to the five other operational floating power stations in Cuba. Its arrival was initially explained on social media as an effort to mitigate the frequent power outages affecting the country, where the daily energy deficit exceeds 1,500 MW. However, UNE's clarification has raised more questions than answers, particularly concerning the terms of the deal with Karpowership.
Energy Dependencies and Lack of Transparency
Since 2019, Cuba has received eight Turkish floating power plants, six of which are currently operational: three in Havana (Belgin Sultan, Suheyla Sultan, and Erol Bay), one in Mariel (Ela Sultan), another in Santiago de Cuba (Erin Sultan), and, for now, the Cankuthan Bey. The Cuban government has maintained absolute secrecy regarding the costs and terms of these contracts, despite their financial implications. For instance, in Ecuador, a 100 MW floating plant cost more than $114 million for 18 months of operation, while in the Dominican Republic, two barges of 180 MW incurred a cost of $40 million over 42 months.
These precedents suggest multimillion-dollar expenses that Cuba could hardly manage without external financial assistance or through opaque agreements with Turkish authorities, whose terms remain unknown to a civil society unable to demand accountability from its leaders.
Operational Challenges and Controversies
The operation of these floating power plants has not been without incidents. On September 26, a fire on the Belgin Sultan barge resulted in eight injuries, with two Turkish technicians losing their lives. Despite these issues, the regime continues to rely on this temporary and costly solution to alleviate its energy crisis.
The arrival of the Cankuthan Bey raises numerous open questions, especially regarding the transparency of agreements with Karpowership and the long-term financial impact on Cuba, a nation deeply mired in economic crisis and an energy system on the brink of collapse.
The arrival of the Turkish floating power station Cankuthan Bey in Havana Bay has sparked various speculations about its purpose and duration in Cuba. Since 2019, Karpowership has provided floating power plants to Cuba, with a total of eight units at different times. Currently, six remain: three in Havana (Belgin Sultan, Suheyla Sultan, and Erol Bay), one in Mariel (Ela Sultan), and another in Santiago de Cuba (Erin Sultan).
The Cuban Electric Union (UNE) clarified that this unit is not part of the current contract with the Turkish company Karpowership and will leave the country after completing the initial setup of its units. The energy crisis in Cuba has worsened in recent years due to a lack of investment and maintenance in thermoelectric plants, many of which have been in operation for over four decades. The reliance on fossil fuels, particularly the heavy Cuban crude, has contributed to the deterioration of the national electrical system.
The arrival of the Cankuthan Bey comes amid frequent blackouts and public discontent. While its presence might temporarily ease the situation, a long-term solution requires significant investments and structural changes in the Cuban energy sector.
Key Questions About Cuba's Energy Crisis and Turkish Power Barges
What role does the Cankuthan Bey play in Cuba's energy crisis?
The Cankuthan Bey is a temporary addition to Cuba's energy infrastructure, intended to assist with power generation during the ongoing crisis. However, it is not part of a long-term solution nor included in a contract with UNE.
Why has the Cuban government kept the terms of the power barge contracts secret?
The Cuban government has not disclosed the terms of these contracts, likely due to the sensitive financial and political implications, as well as the potential public backlash over the costs and dependency on foreign energy solutions.
What are the potential long-term solutions for Cuba's energy crisis?
Long-term solutions require substantial investments in infrastructure, modernization of existing plants, and a shift towards renewable energy sources to reduce dependence on fossil fuels and improve the reliability of the energy system.