The Cuban Electric Union (UNE) has announced another malfunction at the 10 de Octubre Thermoelectric Plant in Nuevitas, located in Camagüey province. On Tuesday morning, Unit 5 was disconnected from the National Electric System (SEN) due to a leak in the boiler. The state-run company reported on social media that relentless repair efforts began in the afternoon following a cooling process.
“Since this afternoon, after a cooling process, work has been ongoing in the boiler of Unit 5 at the Nuevitas plant, Camagüey province, which was removed from the National Electric System this morning due to a boiler leak,” the UNE stated on Facebook.
Meanwhile, Unit 6, which is currently producing 55 MW, is operating under restrictions because of a leak in the seawater pipes. According to Alfredo López Valdés, who leads the company, efforts are underway to restore the plant's full capacity, with staff committed to quickly bringing both units back online.
The Dire State of Cuba’s Electric System and Ongoing Blackouts
Cuba's electric infrastructure is experiencing a severe crisis, marked by prolonged blackouts and frequent malfunctions in the country's key power plants. Recent reports indicate that outages have exceeded 1,200 MW during peak demand times, sometimes reaching record levels above 1,700 MW.
Unplanned shutdowns of generation units have become commonplace, forcing the UNE to impose extensive power cuts in multiple provinces.
Recurring Failures and Maintenance at the Nuevitas Plant
The 10 de Octubre plant in Nuevitas has a history of recurrent failures and extended maintenance periods, worsening Cuba's energy crisis. Below is a chronological overview of significant events:
December 2022: The dismantling of Unit 3 began, which had been out of service for years due to a lack of repair equipment. This initiative aimed to free up space and resources for maintaining other units, although it did not provide a real solution to the energy crisis.
March 2024: The UNE halted the plant's operations for a "planned maintenance" that was expected to last until late April. Continuous repair shifts were conducted to restore 100 MW of generation to the system. However, these efforts failed to stabilize the plant's operation.
May 2024: Unit 6, after 77 days of maintenance, was synchronized with the SEN but failed again within 24 hours due to new technical issues. This incident highlighted the fragility of the repairs and the plant's inability to maintain stable operations.
May 2024: An official media outlet described the frequent shutdowns of Cuban power plants, including Nuevitas, as "normal," claiming they were part of the "life cycle" of these facilities. However, the ongoing instability of the SEN contradicts this claim, showcasing the precarious state of Cuba's electric system.
June 2024: Unit 6 was disconnected from the SEN again due to another breakdown, exacerbating the country's blackouts. The frequency of these failures has fueled public dissatisfaction, with demands for effective solutions.
August 2024: Unit 6 was again taken offline for maintenance focused on boiler cleaning. The plant remained out of service for several days, affecting the region's power supply stability.
January 2025: An unexpected outage of Unit 5 was reported, intensifying the electrical crisis and leading to critical levels of blackouts across several provinces.
January 2025: The Nuevitas plant's Unit 5 failed again shortly after, with impacts exceeding 1,200 MW, highlighting the lack of effective solutions to address the energy crisis.
The persistent failures at the Nuevitas plant underscore the critical state of Cuba's electric system. Despite repeated maintenance and repairs, the plant continues to experience breakdowns that disrupt the country's electricity supply. The absence of infrastructure investments, combined with the island's economic crisis, has stalled the recovery of the SEN, resulting in widespread uncertainty and dissatisfaction among the population.
Understanding Cuba's Energy Challenges
What is causing the frequent power outages in Cuba?
Cuba's frequent power outages are mainly due to malfunctions and breakdowns in its aging thermoelectric plants, coupled with insufficient infrastructure investments and an ongoing economic crisis.
How are maintenance efforts impacting Cuba's energy supply?
Maintenance efforts, while aimed at restoring functionality, have often been inadequate, leading to recurring breakdowns and further destabilizing Cuba’s energy supply.
What are the implications of the energy crisis on the Cuban population?
The energy crisis results in prolonged blackouts, affecting daily life and productivity, leading to public dissatisfaction and demands for reliable electricity solutions.