The Cuban electrical grid is once again in a precarious state. The unexpected shutdown of Unit 6 at the Renté Thermoelectric Plant in Santiago de Cuba was confirmed by the Electric Union (UNE) at 6:46 p.m., adding to a series of recent failures that have plunged the nation into prolonged blackouts with no clear end in sight.
The UNE briefly stated that the unit was taken offline due to a leak in the feed water pump. For many Cubans, this technical explanation simply means more hours without electricity, more sleepless nights, and increased challenges in cooking, preserving food, and dealing with the heat.
This latest malfunction is part of a broader crisis. In recent days, other critical units have also been removed from the grid, exacerbating an already dire situation.
Last Sunday, Unit 5 of the Diez de Octubre thermoelectric plant in Nuevitas, Camagüey, was shut down after a leak was discovered in the ECO, necessitating an emergency stop. Just a week prior, a fire had disabled Unit 6 at the same facility.
This past Monday, the crisis deepened when Unit 6 of the Diez de Octubre plant was again removed from service due to the feed water pump tripping, further compounding a deficit that consistently exceeds 1,800 to 1,900 megawatts daily.
In practical terms, this means that more than half of the country is left in darkness during peak hours, a situation that has persisted for weeks, making blackouts the norm rather than the exception. Provinces in the central and eastern regions are experiencing power cuts of up to 20 hours a day, while the National Electric System operates under what officials have described as a “permanent technical red alert.”
The recurring failures at Renté, Nuevitas, and other power plants such as Felton or Mariel highlight the structural deterioration of Cuba's thermoelectric infrastructure, characterized by outdated plants, insufficient maintenance, fuel shortages, and repairs that fail to last.
Understanding Cuba's Power Crisis
What caused the shutdown of Unit 6 at the Renté Power Plant?
The shutdown was caused by a leak in the feed water pump.
How are these power outages affecting Cuban citizens?
These outages mean prolonged hours without electricity, causing difficulties in daily activities such as cooking, preserving food, and coping with heat.
Which other units have experienced recent failures?
Unit 5 and Unit 6 of the Diez de Octubre plant have also experienced failures, with Unit 5 shutting down due to a leak in the ECO and Unit 6 due to a pump trip.