Cuba's energy crisis shows no signs of improvement, despite the Antonio Guiteras Thermoelectric Power Plant returning to the National Electric System (SEN) at full capacity on Monday, following an initial comeback on Saturday marred by several issues. The report from the Electric Union (UNE) on Tuesday paints a grim picture: Cubans endured 1,614 MW of power outages on Monday, and they should brace for at least 1,460 MW of interruptions during nighttime hours today.
Yesterday was marked by extended power cuts, beginning at 4:48 a.m. and lasting until 3:27 a.m. the next day. Just 105 minutes after service was restored, at 5:12 a.m., the outages returned to disrupt users once more. The peak disruption, totaling 1,614 MW, occurred at 6:40 p.m. As of 7:00 a.m. Tuesday, generation availability stood at 1,800 MW, while demand reached 2,200 MW, resulting in an immediate shortfall of 418 MW. Projections indicate the deficit could increase to 900 MW by noon.
The Struggle with Power Generation
Currently, six thermoelectric units are offline due to breakdowns or maintenance. Two units are out of order: Unit 1 at the Santa Cruz CTE and Unit 2 at the Felton CTE. Undergoing maintenance are Unit 2 at Santa Cruz, Units 3 and 4 at Cienfuegos CTE, and Unit 5 at Renté CTE. Due to thermal limitations, 390 MW are offline, and 56 distributed generation plants are non-operational due to fuel shortages, resulting in a loss of 333 MW. This underscores that, in addition to the aging thermoelectric plants, fuel scarcity remains a major obstacle for the regime in meeting the country's energy needs.
Forecast for Peak Hours
There is an expectation of recovering 80 MW from distributed generation engines currently down due to fuel shortages, and reintegrating a unit from the Santa Cruz CTE with a generation of 80 MW. With these additions, availability is projected to rise to 1,960 MW, yet the maximum anticipated demand could reach 3,350 MW. This would lead to a deficit of 1,390 MW and potential outages of up to 1,460 MW during nighttime hours.
Scheduled Outages in Havana
Given the critical state of the SEN, Havana's Electric Company has announced scheduled service interruptions for Monday:
- Blocks #1 and #2: 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.
- Block #3: 3:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.
- Block #4: 6:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m.
The return of the Guiteras plant to the grid has not resulted in any noticeable improvements for consumers, highlighting the severe depth of the electrical crisis the country faces. With an outdated thermoelectric infrastructure, ongoing maintenance challenges, and chronic fuel shortages, the stability of the SEN remains a daunting issue with no immediate solutions in sight. Meanwhile, the Cuban population endures another day of prolonged power outages with no clear hope for relief.
UPDATE: Shortly after 9 a.m. on Tuesday, Felton 1 was disconnected from the National Electric System due to a malfunction, further complicating the outlook for outages on this February 11.
Understanding Cuba's Energy Crisis
What are the main causes of Cuba's power outages?
The primary causes of Cuba's power outages include an aging thermoelectric infrastructure, frequent maintenance issues, and chronic fuel shortages that hinder the country's ability to meet energy demands.
How does the return of the Guiteras plant affect electricity availability?
While the Guiteras plant has returned to full capacity, it has not led to any significant improvement in electricity availability due to the persistent issues within the broader energy system.