On Sunday, power outages once again disrupted the daily lives of millions across Cuba, as the National Electric System (SEN) faced a shortfall exceeding 1,000 MW, unable to meet the island's energy demands.
The Electric Union (UNE) reported via social media that power service was interrupted throughout the previous day and into the early morning hours, with the peak disruption reaching 1,404 MW by 7 PM.
Compounding the crisis, Hurricane Melissa's aftermath has left 405 MW offline in provinces stretching from Las Tunas to Guantánamo.
By 6 AM on Sunday, total available capacity stood at 1,560 MW, while demand soared to 2,250 MW, resulting in an 800 MW deficit due to insufficient capacity.
The UNE forecasted that during peak hours, disruptions could escalate to 1,380 MW if current conditions persist.
Thermal Power Plant Woes and Fuel Shortages
The nation's key thermal power plants continue to experience technical issues or are shut down for maintenance.
Currently, units 3, 5, and 6 at the Antonio Maceo plant are out of commission, as well as unit 2 at Felton. Maintenance is underway on the Antonio Guiteras, unit 2 at Santa Cruz, and unit 4 at the Carlos Manuel de Céspedes plant in Cienfuegos.
Adding to the dilemma is a severe fuel shortage: 72 distributed generation plants are offline, and another 96 MW are unavailable due to a lack of lubricant, totaling 664 MW affected by fuel-related issues.
Renewable Energy: A Silver Lining?
Amidst this dire scenario, Cuba managed to keep 26 solar photovoltaic parks operational in the western and central regions, contributing 514 MW at peak output during the day.
Understanding Cuba's Power Crisis
What is causing the power outages in Cuba?
The power outages are primarily caused by a combination of technical failures at thermal power plants, maintenance shutdowns, and a severe shortage of fuel.
How has Hurricane Melissa impacted Cuba's power supply?
Hurricane Melissa has left 405 MW offline in provinces from Las Tunas to Guantánamo, further straining the already burdened power system.