As Christmas approaches, a time usually marked by festive gatherings and family reunions, many Cubans are bracing for the possibility of spending the holiday in the dark. Power outages have been on the rise over the past week, and there seems to be little hope for improvement as Christmas Eve draws near.
The Cuban Electric Union (UNE) forecasts a power disruption of 1525 MW during peak hours this Friday. On Thursday, power services were disrupted for a full 24 hours due to a shortage in generation capacity, peaking at a 1608 MW shortfall around 6:30 PM. This dire situation persisted throughout the night, leaving several provinces nearly completely without power.
The Electric Company of Pinar del Río reported a 112 MW shortfall in demand on its Telegram account. Unfortunately, the outlook for Friday is no better. According to the UNE's report, as of 7:00 AM, there was already an 803 MW deficit due to insufficient generation. By midday, an estimated 1100 MW shortfall is expected, with the central and eastern regions being particularly affected due to high energy transfers to these areas.
Three units at the Felton and Renté thermoelectric plants are currently out of service, which is one more than the previous day. Additionally, six blocks at the Mariel, Santa Cruz, Cienfuegos, Nuevitas, and Renté power plants are still undergoing maintenance. Furthermore, due to fuel shortages, 73 distributed generation plants, four engines at the Melones floating power plant, and the Regla barge are offline. The Mariel plant is also out of service, and Unit 1 of the Felton thermoelectric plant is operating at limited capacity to ensure synchronization with its next fuel supply. Altogether, these issues have resulted in a 682 MW shortfall, an increase from Thursday's 638 MW.
Thermal generation limitations amount to 213 MW, exacerbating the power crisis in Cuba.
Understanding the Power Crisis in Cuba
What is causing the power outages in Cuba?
The power outages in Cuba are primarily due to a deficit in generation capacity, exacerbated by equipment failures and fuel shortages affecting multiple power plants.
Which areas in Cuba are most affected by the power cuts?
The central and eastern regions of Cuba are experiencing the most significant impact due to high energy transfers needed to support those areas.
How is the Cuban government addressing the power shortage?
The Cuban government is working to bring power plants back online and ensure fuel supplies, though the situation remains challenging with ongoing maintenance and equipment issues.