The Minister of Energy and Mines, Vicente de la O Levy, has announced that the major maintenance of the Antonio Guiteras thermoelectric plant in Matanzas will be postponed due to a "circumstantial" technical and risk issue. Instead, the plant will undergo a brief shutdown in January 2026, as the country attempts to keep the unstable Felton plant operational.
Known for its historical instability and its importance in national power generation, the Antonio Guiteras unit will only experience a short, one-month shutdown at the start of 2026. This temporary halt aims to ensure its operability through the summer, according to de la O Levy in an interview published by the state-run newspaper Granma.
Electric Grid Under Strain
The decision comes at a time when the National Electrical System (SEN) remains under pressure due to fuel shortages. Despite the gradual reintroduction of thermoelectric units following major overhauls in 2025—including units three and four of the Carlos Manuel de Céspedes (Cienfuegos), unit five of Renté (Santiago de Cuba), and unit two of the Ernesto Che Guevara (Santa Cruz del Norte)—the grid's challenges persist.
While the minister asserted that these units would all be operational by January, he cautioned that the increased capacity does not mitigate the risks posed by critical plants. The situation is further complicated by Felton's ongoing instability.
Balancing Act Between Guiteras and Felton
"We must make a complex decision regarding Guiteras and Felton," acknowledged De la O Levy. He explained that keeping both units offline simultaneously would be unsustainable for the system's operations. Consequently, the government will prioritize maintaining Felton while limiting interventions at Guiteras.
Despite advancements in renewable energy, with a projected 1,000 megawatts of solar power installed by the end of 2025, the primary bottleneck remains fuel. Over 1,000 megawatts of distributed generation are currently offline due to a lack of diesel and fuel oil, a deficit expected to persist into 2026 because of financial constraints.
Consumer Impact and Long-term Outlook
In this context, even with increased installed capacity, power disruptions will continue. Looking to the upcoming year, De la O Levy described it as "challenging," predicting a reduction in blackouts compared to 2025, but not their complete elimination.
He emphasized that delaying the comprehensive maintenance of Guiteras is part of a forced balance between maintaining minimum generation and preventing collapses in strategic units. "There will be a decrease, but there is still a long way to go," he said, highlighting that the country's energy transition is a long-term process.
The Guiteras plant, historically a barometer for the SEN, remains in a precarious position: too fragile to operate without risk, yet too critical to remove from the system amid severe shortages. Once again, the consequences will be directly felt by consumers.
Key Questions About Cuba's Energy Challenges
Why is the maintenance of Antonio Guiteras being delayed?
The maintenance is delayed due to "circumstantial" technical and risk issues, with a brief shutdown scheduled for early 2026 to maintain its operation through the summer.
What challenges does the National Electrical System (SEN) face?
The SEN is under strain from fuel shortages, despite the reintroduction of overhauled thermoelectric units. Critical plants continue to pose risks due to their instability.
How does the government plan to manage Guiteras and Felton?
The government plans to prioritize maintaining Felton while limiting interventions at Guiteras, as keeping both offline would strain the system.