Amidst the ongoing energy crisis plaguing Cuba, Miguel Díaz-Canel, the nation's leader, declared on Wednesday that the "Carlos Manuel de Céspedes" power plant in Cienfuegos, a crucial energy source for the island, will be operational by summer. During his visit to Cienfuegos province as part of a nationwide tour, he emphasized the ongoing efforts to restore the plant, which has been inactive since suffering severe damage in October 2024.
Accompanied by a government delegation, Díaz-Canel expressed commitment to ensuring the repair and activation of the affected units—unit 3 and unit 4—by the summer of this year. José Osvaldo González Rodríguez, the plant's general director, mentioned that intricate repairs are underway on unit 3's turbine, expected to conclude by mid-February. The synchronization with the National Electric System (SEN) is planned for the first half of April, with unit 3 anticipated to deliver a nominal power of 158 MW.
Regarding unit 4, which experienced extensive damage to its boiler and other critical components, González Rodríguez highlighted that intensive maintenance is being conducted on the boiler, heat exchangers, and turbine. The startup of this unit is slated for the first half of June, also with a capacity of 158 MW.
Back on October 18, the collapse of the National Electric System led to a widespread blackout across the country, simultaneously shutting down both units of the power plant, a situation not seen in years. The Cuban government asserts that it is dedicating substantial efforts to restore this vital facility, aiming to relieve the nation's strained electrical grid, with some provinces experiencing power outages lasting up to 23 hours daily.
Cuban Power Plant Restoration Efforts FAQ
What is the expected operational date for unit 3 of the Cienfuegos power plant?
Unit 3 is expected to be synchronized with the National Electric System by the first half of April and will provide a nominal power of 158 MW.
When is unit 4 of the Cienfuegos power plant scheduled to be operational?
The reactivation of unit 4 is planned for the first half of June, with the unit expected to deliver 158 MW of power.
What caused the widespread blackout in Cuba on October 18?
The blackout was caused by the failure of the National Electric System, which resulted in both units of the Cienfuegos power plant going offline simultaneously.