The Felton 1 Unit at the “Lidio Ramón Pérez” thermoelectric plant, located in Mayarí, Holguín province, is expected to begin its startup process on Tuesday morning following a successful hydraulic test conducted on Monday as part of ongoing repair efforts. This update was shared by the Cuban Electric Union (UNE) on its official Facebook page, which also noted current efforts to seal the furnace floor.
In a display typical of the regime's optimistic rhetoric, the plant's director declared that the facility is nearing the final stages of resolving the breakdown. Additionally, the statement mentioned that the Nuevitas 5 unit is forecasted to come online by Thursday, as part of broader efforts to restore power generation and lessen the impact on the national electrical system.
Felton Unit 1 was removed from the National Electric System (SEN) last Saturday due to a boiler leak, further exacerbating the country's severe energy crisis. Official journalist Lázaro Manuel Alonso reported on Facebook about this "new" setback, albeit without providing further details. Subsequently, the plant's general director, engineer Erick Milanés Quinzán, explained that the extent of the damage was initially hard to assess due to the presence of high-pressure steam in the area.
"We initially thought it was a wall of tubes, but as the steam has subsided, we now see it is likely a boiler drain, which would be much easier to repair," stated the engineer. Should the "miracle" of restarting and synchronizing this unit with the SEN occur by Tuesday morning, it might, with some luck, alleviate the severe energy crisis, which on Monday reached a new peak in power outages.
According to the official statement from the UNE, as of 7:00 a.m., generation availability was only 1,527 MW against a demand of 2,700 MW, leading to an immediate shortfall of 1,190 MW. It is anticipated that by midday, the deficit could rise to 1,350 MW and could reach up to 1,858 MW during the evening if current conditions persist.
Alonso confirmed through his social media that the estimated deficit for Monday is one of the highest in recent years.
Understanding Cuba's Energy Crisis
Why is Felton 1 critical for Cuba's energy supply?
Felton 1 is a significant component of Cuba's power generation infrastructure. Its operation is crucial to meeting the national energy demand and mitigating the ongoing energy crisis.
What challenges does Cuba face with its electrical grid?
Cuba's electrical grid struggles with outdated infrastructure, maintenance issues, and insufficient capacity to meet growing demands, leading to frequent outages and deficits.
How does the Cuban government plan to address the power shortages?
The government is attempting to address power shortages by repairing existing facilities, bringing additional units online, and potentially seeking international assistance or investment to upgrade the grid.