Several districts in Havana woke up on Friday without electricity following an Automatic Load Shedding (ALS) event. This was announced by the Havana Electric Company through its Telegram channel. The company stated that this is a protective measure triggered when the electrical system's frequency reaches critical levels, potentially jeopardizing the stability of the National Electric System (SEN).
"Good morning, at this time, an ALS event is occurring in several municipalities (...). When the frequency drops to critical permissible values that threaten the entire system’s stability, it triggers an automatic disconnection of some circuits until the frequency returns to its nominal value of 60 Hz or cycles per second," they explained.
This automatic disconnection aims to prevent a widespread blackout, similar to one that recently affected a significant portion of the country. Authorities confirmed that the power service was disrupted for the entire previous day and continued experiencing interruptions into Friday morning.
Critical Figures in the SEN
The SEN is facing a dire situation. The Havana Electric Company reported an availability of 1,270 MW against a demand of 2,260 MW, resulting in a current shortfall of 1,450 MW. By noon, it is forecasted that 1,350 MW will remain affected, while during peak hours, availability is projected at 1,814 MW against a demand of 3,180 MW, creating a deficit of 1,366 MW and an estimated impact of 1,436 MW.
Setback at the Antonio Guiteras Power Plant
Adding to the challenge is a new issue at the Antonio Guiteras Thermoelectric Plant in Matanzas, where a fault was discovered following a hydraulic test. Rubén Campos Olmos, the plant’s general director, told Periódico Girón that the problem was found in the right side wall of the boiler, at the height of the third burner level.
"During the hydraulic test, another fault was found, this time in the right side wall, at the level of the third burner. It's more complicated because we need to set up scaffolding to reach 20 meters high where the fault is located," Campos Olmos detailed.
The director noted that although repairs started at 7 a.m., the process could take about ten hours. "If the subsequent hydraulic test doesn't reveal new issues, we will begin the ignition. However, this new fault will likely prevent us from being operational for today’s peak hours, potentially delaying until dawn tomorrow," he added.
On a positive note, it was confirmed that unit Felton 1 managed to ignite its boiler, which is considered good news as its operation could reduce blackout hours by up to five. In comparison, if the Guiteras plant is offline, it equates to about six hours of outages.
Authorities urge the public to take precautions and stay informed through official channels as efforts continue to restore the capital's electrical system stability.
Understanding Power Outages in Havana
What causes Automatic Load Shedding (ALS) in Havana?
Automatic Load Shedding in Havana occurs when the electrical system's frequency drops to critical levels, triggering a protective measure to prevent system instability by disconnecting some circuits.
How severe is the current energy shortfall in Havana?
Havana is experiencing a significant energy shortfall, with a current deficit of 1,450 MW and projections indicating continued deficits during peak demand times.
What is the status of the Antonio Guiteras Thermoelectric Plant?
The Antonio Guiteras Thermoelectric Plant is undergoing repairs due to a fault found during a hydraulic test, which could delay its operation until the following day.