Amidst ongoing energy challenges, Cuba is bracing for another day of significant power outages this weekend, driven by a generation shortfall exceeding 1,400 MW. The recent wave of prolonged blackouts is expected to persist, exacerbating daily life in the nation.
The Cuban Electric Union (UNE) reported that on Friday, the island experienced continuous power disruptions for 24 hours, with normal service resuming only at 3:51 am today. At its peak, the power shortfall reached 1,413 MW at 6:20 pm, slightly below the 1,435 MW experts had predicted.
The crisis is worsened by the malfunction of three units at the Santa Cruz and Felton thermal power plants. Additionally, four units at the Santa Cruz, Cienfuegos, and Renté power facilities are undergoing maintenance, contributing to thermal limitations which have taken 324 MW offline.
Fuel shortages have also crippled operations, leaving 53 distributed generation plants and the Mariel fuel power station inactive, resulting in a 382 MW deficit. Efforts to mitigate the situation include plans to activate three fuel engines at Mariel, adding 50 MW, and restoring 120 MW from distributed generation currently offline due to fuel scarcity.
During peak demand hours, the available capacity is anticipated to be 1,865 MW, while demand is expected to soar to 3,200 MW, leading to a projected shortfall of 1,335 MW. Should these conditions persist, power outages could reach up to 1,405 MW.
Understanding Cuba's Power Crisis
What is causing the power outages in Cuba?
The power outages in Cuba are primarily due to a significant deficit in power generation, exacerbated by malfunctioning units at key thermal plants, ongoing maintenance, and fuel shortages affecting distributed generation capacities.
How are authorities addressing the power shortage?
Authorities are attempting to address the shortage by bringing additional engines online, specifically at the Mariel power station, and restoring capacity from distributed generation units that are currently offline due to fuel shortages.
What impact does the power deficit have on daily life in Cuba?
The power deficit leads to frequent and prolonged blackouts, which disrupt daily activities, hinder economic productivity, and contribute to the overall hardship faced by residents across the country.