The Cuban electrical grid faced yet another shock this Friday, December 26, with the abrupt failure of a critical power generation unit. This incident underscores that the ongoing energy crisis is not an isolated event but rather a systemic collapse causing widespread daily blackouts across the country.
At 9:58 a.m., the Electric Union (UNE) announced via its Facebook page that Unit 6 of the Máximo Gómez Thermoelectric Plant in Mariel had gone offline. The cause of this malfunction is currently "under investigation," according to their report.
This announcement came just minutes after the company had previously stated at 9:03 a.m. that the unit had successfully synchronized with the system, highlighting the operational fragility of the plants and the persistent instability plaguing the National Electric System (SEN).
Citizens were quick to express their frustration. "It didn't last even an hour," commented a model. "55 minutes, must be a record," noted an IT specialist. "Christmas was great... and New Year's promises to be the same!" quipped a Cuban émigré with irony.
Some online users questioned the time authorities spend "investigating" each failure, only for similar breakdowns to recur shortly after. "They'll need to set up a technical investigation department, like detectives, because they waste a lot of time investigating, and then the 'crime' repeats," remarked one user.
Recurring Failures in Cuban Power Plants
The Mariel incident is not an isolated case. Earlier the same Friday morning, UNE reported the activation of two blocks at the Diez de Octubre Thermoelectric Plant: Block 6 at 12:35 a.m. and Block 5 at 5:14 a.m. Just the day before, on Thursday morning, the company reported the shutdown of Unit 3 at the Carlos Manuel de Céspedes Plant in Cienfuegos due to a 6 kV electrical trip. Hours earlier, Block 8 of the Máximo Gómez Plant had been disconnected due to a leak in the economizer.
This pattern of frequent startups and shutdowns paints a picture of extreme precariousness. The SEN operates like a system barely holding together, where each unit that comes online temporarily compensates for another that fails almost immediately. The outcome is a grid unable to maintain stability, subjecting millions to prolonged outages that can last up to 20 hours daily in various regions.
A Failing Energy Framework
Beyond sporadic technical failures, the recurring issues reflect years of accumulated deterioration, exacerbated by a lack of sustained investment, aging infrastructure, and planning that has failed to forecast or alleviate the progressive collapse of the thermoelectric network.
The Cuban populace endures this situation not as a temporary setback but as the direct consequence of an administration that has allowed the power plants to reach a critical state without any structural solutions in sight.
In this context, each official announcement about a unit "entering" or "leaving" the system has become a stark reminder of the country's fragile energy situation. Meanwhile, households, hospitals, businesses, and production centers struggle to cope with blackouts that have become an integral part of everyday life.
Understanding Cuba's Energy Crisis
What caused the failure of Unit 6 at the Máximo Gómez Plant?
The exact cause of the failure is still under investigation by the Electric Union (UNE). However, it highlights the ongoing operational issues within the Cuban energy infrastructure.
How has the Cuban population reacted to the frequent power outages?
The Cuban population has expressed frustration and irony over the frequent power outages, viewing them as a sign of deeper systemic issues within the country's energy sector.
What is the impact of these outages on daily life in Cuba?
The outages have a significant impact, disrupting daily life across the country. They affect households, hospitals, businesses, and production centers, leading to prolonged periods without electricity.