The Antonio Guiteras Thermoelectric Plant, Cuba's largest power generation facility, experienced another failure on Tuesday night, shutting down just five minutes after reconnecting to the National Electric System.
At 10:11 p.m., the Electric Union (UNE) announced on Facebook that the plant was offline again, stating only that the "causes remain to be identified." The plant had been synchronized at 10:06 p.m. that same evening, marking one of the shortest and most embarrassing episodes in a series of unsuccessful reconnections.
Reactions flooded in with harsh critiques. "A sneeze and boom," mocked one user. Another compared the plant's failures to a meme more famous than Barcelona. Yet another criticized the management, saying, "It spends more time being repaired than actually running. Just a pile of rubble."
Frustration wasn't limited to jokes. "Pending causes, haha, sounds like a soap opera title. Sadly, what the people are living is more like a horror series," commented another.
Someone else summed up the situation: "Five days of repairs, less than two online. They insist on generating 190 MW, wearing it out. It’s better to produce 150 and last longer, but you’re too stubborn."
Technical voices also chimed in. One warned that repeated startups are damaging the plant from within: "Every time the boiler is fired up, until it reaches operational parameters, and then cools down, it uses hundreds of gallons. It's better to fix everything properly for a lasting start than to keep patching it."
Another user was blunt: "That boiler and economizer are done. Guiteras needs to be fully shut down for planned long-term maintenance and major repairs to its boiler."
Tuesday's shutdown is the latest in at least 17 unscheduled outages the Guiteras has faced in 2026. In October alone, the plant has suffered several breakdowns: October 4 saw a high-temperature reheater failure; October 9, a steam tempering line leak; and October 14, a new economizer malfunction causing further damage to a low-temperature reheater.
Between October 15 and 17, technicians replaced 11 tube segments and conducted hydraulic and pneumatic tests. The outcome was a mere five-minute connection.
Commissioned in 1988 and over 38 years in operation, the plant hasn't received full-scale maintenance since 2010. A comprehensive overhaul would require replacing more than 500 tubes, executing between 1,000 to 1,200 welds, and a shutdown of at least 180 days, which authorities have avoided scheduling.
The latest collapse occurs amid a dire situation. This Tuesday, Cuba's electric system supplied just 920 MW against a demand of 2,820 MW. Power outages exceeding 70 hours have become commonplace: communities in Matanzas, like Manuelito, Bolondrón, and Unión de Reyes, endured over 70 hours without power, while some circuits in Pinar del Río faced more than 90 hours of blackout.
The electrical crisis has also disrupted water supply: the regime admitted that 2.5 million Cubans—32% of those connected to networks—experience interrupted service, with 88% of incidents linked to electrical issues.
"The Guiteras is the mirror image of the system. Completely failed," concluded one user. Just four days earlier, the UNE had called the plant "Cuba’s largest and most efficient single unit block."
Understanding Cuba's Power Crisis: Key Questions Answered
Why does the Antonio Guiteras plant frequently fail?
The plant often fails due to outdated infrastructure, lack of comprehensive maintenance, and repeated forced startups which cause internal damage.
What are the consequences of frequent plant shutdowns?
Frequent shutdowns lead to widespread power outages, affecting water supply and daily life, as the plant is critical to Cuba's power grid.
What maintenance is required for the Guiteras plant?
Comprehensive maintenance involves replacing over 500 tubes, performing extensive welding, and a shutdown of at least 180 days for repairs.