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Cuban Power Grid Struggles: Severe Energy Shortages Continue to Plague the Nation

Wednesday, January 29, 2025 by Daniel Colon

Cuban Power Grid Struggles: Severe Energy Shortages Continue to Plague the Nation
Blackout in Camagüey (reference image) - Image © Facebook Naturaleza Secreta de Cuba

The Cuban Electric Union has announced a dire situation for the National Electric System (SEN) on Tuesday, January 28, 2025, characterized by unexpected blackouts and a generation shortfall that will predominantly affect the central and eastern regions of the country. On Monday, January 27, power outages persisted from 6:05 a.m. until 1:32 a.m. the following day, with the maximum impact reaching 1,555 MW at 6:50 p.m., coinciding with peak demand.

The crisis was exacerbated by the unexpected shutdown of Unit 5 at the Nuevitas Thermoelectric Plant and the failure to activate engines at the Mariel fuel plant.

Current State of the SEN

As of 7:00 a.m. on this Tuesday, the SEN's availability stood at 1,880 MW, while demand reached 2,150 MW, leaving a shortfall of 502 MW primarily in the central and eastern regions due to high energy transfers to these areas. By midday, it is expected that the shortfall will rise to 950 MW, heavily impacting these same regions.

Main Causes of the Power Shortages

The SEN is currently grappling with numerous breakdowns and limitations in power generation:

  • Units Out of Service: Unit 5 at Nuevitas Thermoelectric Plant, Unit 2 at Felton Thermoelectric Plant.
  • Units Under Maintenance: Unit 2 at Santa Cruz Thermoelectric Plant, Units 3 and 4 at Cienfuegos Thermoelectric Plant, Unit 5 at Renté Thermoelectric Plant.

Distributed generation is also suffering due to fuel shortages in 45 plants, affecting 247 MW. Additionally, the Moa fuel plant is leaving 126 MW offline. In total, thermal limitations amount to 348 MW, and the fuel shortage impact reaches 373 MW.

Forecast for Peak Hours on January 28

This evening, the available capacity is estimated to be 1,880 MW against a peak demand of 3,250 MW, resulting in a deficit of 1,370 MW. If these conditions persist, up to 1,440 MW could be unavailable during peak hours, severely impacting the central and eastern provinces.

The UNE has urged both the public and businesses to minimize energy consumption as much as possible to alleviate the anticipated shortages.

The ongoing power generation inadequacies highlight the structural challenges plaguing Cuba's energy system, worsened by poor maintenance, frequent breakdowns, and fuel scarcity. This crisis significantly disrupts the everyday lives of Cubans, with the government failing to provide solutions.

Understanding Cuba's Energy Crisis

What is causing the current energy crisis in Cuba?

The crisis is primarily due to unexpected shutdowns of key power plants, maintenance issues, and fuel shortages, which have led to significant power generation shortfalls.

How are the power shortages affecting the Cuban population?

The shortages are causing frequent blackouts, disrupting daily life and business operations, especially in the central and eastern regions of the country.

What measures is the Cuban Electric Union taking to address the crisis?

The UNE is urging citizens and businesses to reduce energy consumption to help mitigate the impact of the power shortages.

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