The Antonio Guiteras Thermoelectric Power Plant successfully rejoined Cuba's National Electric System (SEN) at 11:06 p.m. on Sunday following four days of intensive repairs, as confirmed by the state-run Unión Eléctrica through their official channels.
Upon reconnection, the plant in Matanzas reached a generation capacity of 200 MW, according to the plant's general manager, Román Pérez Castañeda, who shared details with Periódico Girón.
The Guiteras facility had been offline from the SEN since the previous Wednesday due to a leak in the boiler, specifically, a malfunction in the economizer, which resulted in power outages stretching from Ciego de Ávila to Guantánamo.
Key Repairs and Challenges
Pérez Castañeda highlighted that the main focus of this shutdown was addressing the recurring issues that have led to the plant's last three outages.
During the downtime, extensive repairs were conducted on the high-temperature reheater (RAT), where a failed tube was identified, necessitating four welds. Additionally, two faulty tubes were discovered in the economizer, each requiring four welds. An inspection of the furnace floor uncovered a sealing defect, which was corrected through welding and refractory casting in that area.
Maintenance efforts were also undertaken on the regenerative air heaters (CAR), where elements with mechanical looseness were secured using bolt tightening and welding points. Over 200 additional activities were carried out, including preventive maintenance in anticipation of cyclones and heavy rains.
Operational Hurdles and Overcoming Obstacles
The entry into the boiler was more challenging than usual, as the economizer failure prevented water circulation, with all water leaking from the damaged area, which extended repair times, according to the director.
Despite these complications, the unit reconnected within the planned timeframe, a success attributed by Pérez Castañeda to the "discipline and dedication of the workers involved in the repair process."
Broader Energy Crisis
This marks the ninth instance of the Guiteras power plant disconnecting from the SEN in 2026, amid an acute energy crisis. On May 13, Cuba recorded a record deficit of 2,153 MW, and Energy and Mines Minister Vicente de la O Levy candidly admitted that the country was "without fuel" in a "severe, critical, and extremely tense" situation.
While the return of the Guiteras plant offers some relief, it does not resolve the underlying structural issues plaguing Cuba's electric system. According to a Monday report from Unión Eléctrica, the SEN anticipates a peak hour deficit of 2,050 MW and an impact of 2,080 MW, with other units remaining offline due to malfunctions at the Ernesto Guevara, Lidio Ramón Pérez, and Antonio Maceo plants.
Understanding Cuba's Energy Challenges
What caused the recent disconnection of the Guiteras plant from the SEN?
The Guiteras plant was disconnected due to a leak in the boiler, specifically a malfunction in the economizer, which led to widespread power outages.
How did the repairs address the issues at the Guiteras plant?
Repairs included fixing faulty tubes in the economizer and high-temperature reheater, addressing sealing defects, and securing mechanical looseness in the regenerative air heaters.
What is the current state of Cuba's energy crisis?
Cuba faces a severe energy crisis with a record deficit, insufficient fuel supply, and several power plants offline due to malfunctions.