The Cuban Electric Union (UNE) revealed on Monday an "emergency strategy" aimed at halting the relentless breakdowns plaguing the Antonio Guiteras Thermoelectric Plant. This facility has been caught in a seemingly endless cycle of malfunctions, with the most recent failure marking the 15th incident in 2026 alone.
The country's primary power station went offline overnight due to yet another boiler malfunction, as confirmed by the plant through its social media channels. Currently, the unit is undergoing natural cooling to facilitate an internal inspection that will pinpoint the cause of the issue.
Temporary Measures Amidst Ongoing Crisis
Rather than proposing a long-term solution, the UNE's plan appears to be a stopgap measure. General Director Rubén Campos Olmo stated that experts will assess the boiler's condition to devise an intervention aimed at minimizing frequent malfunctions and ensuring the plant's operation during the summer months, when electricity demand peaks. This information was reported by state journalist José Miguel Solís.
The precarious state of the plant is underscored by the fact that it hasn't undergone major maintenance since 2010, and its infrastructure shows significant wear and tear.
Acknowledgment of Severe Deterioration
Months ago, Román Pérez Castañeda, director of the Guiteras plant, acknowledged the dire need for a shutdown of at least 180 days to carry out the extensive repairs required. However, he noted that the national energy crisis prevents taking the island's most crucial power block offline for such an extended period.
The main source of the malfunctions lies in the boiler's economizer, where damage has been found in over 500 tubes. A comprehensive repair would necessitate between 1,000 and 1,200 welding joints, highlighting the severe deterioration of the facility.
Impact on Cuban Households
The latest breakdown occurred barely a week after the plant reconnected to the National Electric System, following another shutdown caused by boiler issues. The repeated failures have turned the Guiteras plant into a prominent symbol of Cuba's energy crisis.
While technicians search for a temporary fix, the repercussions continue to affect millions of Cuban households. The national electric system's availability barely reached 995 megawatts on Thursday, against a demand exceeding 2,600 MW. During peak night hours, UNE anticipates disruptions surpassing 2,000 MW, nearing the worst energy deficit records reported on the island.
The situation is worsened by the concurrent shutdown of other thermoelectric units and the immobilization of over a hundred distributed generation engines due to fuel shortages.
In this challenging context, power outages persistently impact the population. In many areas of Havana, electrical cuts last more than 20 hours a day, while in eastern provinces, outages exceeding 48 consecutive hours have been reported.
The UNE's "emergency strategy" highlights a harsh truth that is increasingly difficult to conceal: Cuba's main thermoelectric plant is in desperate need of comprehensive repairs that the country cannot afford, leaving millions of Cubans bearing the brunt of an increasingly fragile electrical system.
FAQs about Cuba's Energy Crisis
What is causing the frequent breakdowns at the Antonio Guiteras Thermoelectric Plant?
The frequent breakdowns are primarily due to issues in the boiler's economizer, where over 500 tubes are damaged, requiring extensive repairs.
How is the Cuban Electric Union addressing the power plant's issues?
The UNE has implemented an "emergency strategy" focusing on temporary fixes to reduce frequent malfunctions and maintain operations during peak demand periods.
How are the power outages affecting Cuban citizens?
Power outages are significantly impacting Cuban citizens, with some areas experiencing cuts lasting over 20 hours daily, and in some regions, outages extend beyond 48 hours.