The simultaneous shutdown of seven thermoelectric units due to "failures" has exacerbated the critical situation of electricity generation in Cuba. It is anticipated that this Friday will see power outages amounting to 1,245 MW, a minor reduction of 105 MW compared to the previous day, offering little relief.
This Thursday, service was disrupted for 24 hours due to a deficit in generation capacity, which continued into the early hours of today. The peak volume of outages nationwide on August 22 was recorded at 8:50 p.m., reaching 1,351 MW, just 1 MW higher than predicted.
As of 7:00 a.m. today, the availability of the National Electric System (SEN) was 2,125 MW, while demand stood at 2,590 MW, resulting in a significant shortfall of 498 MW at that hour. By midday, outages are expected to hover around 750 MW due to the generation deficit.
Breakdown of Failed Units
Regarding the failed units today, it appears that Unit 6 of Nuevitas has been reconnected, but Unit 5 of Antonio Maceo has gone offline. The units currently out of service due to failures include: Unit 5 of the Mariel Thermal Power Plant, Units 1 and 3 of the Santa Cruz Thermal Power Plant, Unit 4 of the Carlos Manuel de Céspedes Thermal Power Plant, Units 1 and 2 of the Felton Thermal Power Plant, and Unit 5 of the Antonio Maceo plant.
Furthermore, 28 distributed generation plants are out of service due to fuel issues, eight fewer than yesterday. However, the MW affected by this issue are higher today: 196 MW today compared to 183 MW yesterday.
The Electric Union of Cuba states that Unit 5 of the Antonio Maceo plant, with a capacity of 50 MW, is expected to be reconnected during peak hours. Given this forecast, the available generation capacity is estimated to be 2,175 MW, with a maximum demand of 3,350 MW, leading to a deficit of 1,175 MW. If conditions persist, an impact of 1,245 MW is expected at peak hours on August 23.
What does the Director General of Electricity at the Ministry of Energy and Mines have to say? So far, nothing. As of the closing of this article, Lázaro Guerra Hernández, Director General of Electricity at the MINEM, has not appeared in his daily televised report.
In recent hours, several posts on the Facebook profile of the Electric Union of Cuba have attempted to alleviate public discontent, giving the impression that efforts are being made around the clock. One post highlights the work being done at Felton, while another celebrates that Unit 4 of the Carlos Manuel de Céspedes Thermal Power Plant in Cienfuegos is "in the process of starting up to synchronize with the SEN, 48 hours ahead of schedule."
What do Cubans think about these prolonged power outages? They are fed up, as always. "This is torture, a plan to kill us. It's a massacre"; "One unit comes online, another goes offline. It's a relay race"; "We are stuck in the same torture, I'm speechless, we can't take it anymore"; "This is a macabre nightmare. How will our children start the school year with any enthusiasm?" are some of the comments.
There was no shortage of comments referencing the recent statement by Prime Minister Manuel Marrero: "In five years, everything will be better!"
Frequently Asked Questions About Cuba's Power Outages
To provide further clarity on the ongoing electricity crisis in Cuba, we have compiled some frequently asked questions and their answers.
What caused the simultaneous failure of seven thermoelectric units?
The failures were attributed to unspecified technical issues within the units, severely impacting the country's electricity generation capacity.
How long are the power outages expected to last?
The duration of power outages is uncertain, but projections indicate that outages around 1,245 MW may persist through peak hours on August 23.
What is the Electric Union of Cuba doing to address the issue?
The Electric Union of Cuba is working to reconnect affected units and has been posting updates on their efforts, including the anticipated reconnection of Unit 5 at the Antonio Maceo plant.
What has been the public reaction to the outages?
Public reaction has been overwhelmingly negative, with many expressing frustration and despair over the prolonged power outages and the uncertain future of the electricity supply.