The Electric Union (UNE) of Cuba forecasts a power outage of 673 MW during peak hours (from 6:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m.) this Saturday, according to a note from the entity. "Estimated available power for peak hours is 2497 MW with a maximum demand of 3100 MW, resulting in a deficit of 603 MW," they announced on the UNE's Facebook profile.
This Saturday, the availability of the National Electroenergetic System (SEN) at 7:00 a.m. was 2280 MW, while the demand was 2500 MW, leading to 278 MW affected by the generation capacity deficit. A maximum impact of 550 MW is forecasted for midday, according to the UNE.
The entity also confirmed that several units are out of service due to malfunctions: unit 8 of Mariel, unit 3 of the Santa Cruz power plant, unit 4 of the Cienfuegos power plant, unit 6 of the Nuevitas power plant, units 3 and 5 of the Rente power plant, and unit 2 of the Felton power plant. Additionally, unit 1 of the Santa Cruz power plant is unavailable due to "maintenance."
Another issue is the thermal generation, which has limitations of 336 MW. Furthermore, 37 distributed generation plants are out of fuel, causing 235 MW to be affected by this deficit.
However, the UNE assures that for the peak hours, they expect the entry of Distributed Generation engines that are currently out of fuel with 80 MW, the entry of unit 8 of the Mariel power plant with 70 MW, and unit 3 of the Santa Cruz power plant with 67 MW.
On Friday, there were generation capacity deficits in the SEN for 24 hours, continuing throughout the early hours of Saturday. The maximum impact of the day was 633 MW at 9:00 p.m., coinciding with peak hours.
The UNE's issues seem to show slight improvement, but with the continuous shutdowns of power plants due to breakdowns or alleged scheduled maintenance, the Cuban authorities admit they also lack the necessary fuel to keep them operational, a well-known truth.
On this matter, the Cuban Minister of Energy and Mines, Vicente de la O Levy, emphasized the slight improvement in the electrical service but acknowledged that the demand cannot be fully met due to the lack of fuel. In statements quoted by the official portal Cubadebate, the official noted that "peak hours cannot always be covered due to fuel limitations to support the demand."
Since May, the UNE had promised Cubans that power outages would decrease from July onwards, following the increase in electric cuts between May and June. However, in a YouTube program, the ruler Miguel Díaz-Canel admitted that there are no guarantees that the summer months would pass without disruptions in the electrical service.
Understanding the Power Outage Crisis in Cuba
Below are some frequently asked questions and answers to help clarify the ongoing power outage issues in Cuba and the factors contributing to this crisis.
Why is there a significant power outage in Cuba?
The power outages in Cuba are primarily due to a deficit in generation capacity exceeding 600 MW, caused by breakdowns, maintenance issues, and a lack of fuel to run the power plants.
What measures is the Cuban government taking to address the power outages?
The Cuban government is attempting to bring additional power generation units online and has promised a decrease in power outages. However, fuel shortages and ongoing maintenance issues have hindered these efforts.
How long are the power outages expected to last?
There is no clear end in sight for the power outages. Although officials have promised improvements, the lack of fuel and ongoing technical issues mean that Cubans may continue to experience power disruptions for the foreseeable future.