The Unit 1 of the Lidio Ramón Pérez Thermal Power Plant, commonly referred to as Felton, rejoined the National Electric System (NES) this Tuesday at 3:19 p.m., following several days offline due to a boiler malfunction. This update was shared by journalist Emilio Rodríguez Pupo on his Facebook account, where he mentioned that the plant is currently supplying 50 MW to the NES and is gradually increasing its output, with Shift B now operational.
The reactivation of this unit offers slight relief amidst the severe energy crisis plaguing the country. The thermal power plant had been disconnected from the system since Saturday, April 19, due to what the regime described as a boiler leak. During its downtime, technicians and specialists conducted steam evacuation, cooling, and damage assessments to access the impacted area and carry out the required repairs.
Felton's shutdown exacerbated the already dire energy situation in the country, leading to extended blackouts that lasted over 20 hours a day in some eastern and central regions of the island. Public outrage quickly surfaced on social media, with numerous Cubans expressing their frustration through comments like, “It’s a relay race, one enters and others exit... it's always the same.”
Despite repeated governmental announcements about scheduled maintenance, investments, and the use of floating generation, the accumulated deterioration of the thermal power plants—many of which have been in operation for over three decades—continues to highlight the vulnerability of the National Electric System.
Understanding the Crisis in Cuba's Electric System
What caused the shutdown of Felton power plant?
The Felton power plant was shut down due to a reported boiler leak, which required immediate attention and repair.
How long was Felton out of operation?
Felton was out of operation for several days before it was able to reconnect to the National Electric System.
What impact did the shutdown have on Cuba?
The shutdown worsened Cuba's energy crisis, causing prolonged outages that exceeded 20 hours a day in some areas.