The Antonio Guiteras Thermoelectric Plant, located in Matanzas, was out of operation for several hours this Monday following an automatic shutdown that occurred shortly after 10 a.m. According to a report by pro-government journalist José Miguel Solís on Facebook, this incident was triggered by an increased electricity deficit during a period of medium demand.
Dr. Román Pérez Castañeda, the plant's technical deputy director, explained that the shutdown happened during maintenance work and valve adjustments. As part of the safety protocol, the automatic protection system activated to avert potential major damage. A few hours later, the power plant reconnected to the National Electric System (SEN), initially supplying 200 MW of power.
Pérez Castañeda mentioned that after stabilizing operational parameters, there is an expectation to gradually increase electricity generation. "After recent brief maintenance, the Guiteras plant could potentially reach up to 270 MW of output," noted journalist Solís. The next scheduled maintenance is planned for mid-May.
Recently, on January 18, 2025, the plant ceased operation at 9:59 a.m. due to a malfunction in the boiler control valves, following 45 days of continuous service. After four days of repair efforts, the facility managed to resynchronize with the SEN on January 22 at 7:44 a.m., again starting with 200 MW and expecting to reach 270 MW once operational parameters stabilize.
Cuba's electrical situation has faced an unprecedented crisis in recent months, marked by prolonged blackouts and collapses of the National Electrical System. One of the most critical incidents happened in October 2024, when a failure at the Antonio Guiteras plant led to a complete system disconnection, leaving over ten million people without electricity.
This collapse highlighted the vulnerability of Cuba's electrical infrastructure, characterized by outdated generation plants and a heavy reliance on fossil fuels. Despite government pledges to boost renewable energy's share to 37% by 2030, by 2022, only 5% had been achieved.
FAQs on Cuba's Electrical Infrastructure Challenges
What caused the recent shutdown at the Antonio Guiteras plant?
The recent shutdown was due to an automatic safety system activation during maintenance and valve adjustment work.
How does the Guiteras plant outage affect Cuba's electricity supply?
Outages at the Guiteras plant exacerbate Cuba's already strained electrical grid, contributing to blackouts and instability.
What are Cuba's plans for increasing renewable energy?
Cuba aims to increase renewable energy's share to 37% by 2030, although progress has been slow, with only 5% achieved by 2022.