The Cuban Electric Union (UNE) announced on Friday that the Antonio Guiteras power plant, situated in the city of Matanzas, is expected to rejoin the National Electric System (SEN) in the early hours of the morning. This comes after the plant experienced an unexpected outage due to a technical malfunction.
According to the official statement released on social media, the plant ceased operations at 12:31 p.m. due to a breakdown in the Regenerative Air Heater (CAR B), a critical component for the plant's thermal efficiency in generating electricity. The issue was pinpointed as a failure in the drive group of the alternating current motor, which became detached from the coupling that transmits motion to the system.
The UNE has assured that they possess the necessary technical resources and qualified personnel to carry out the essential repairs, which commenced immediately. "We estimate that the unit will be back in operation by this morning," stated the state-run company in its announcement.
As the largest single-unit power plant in the country, the Guiteras is vital for maintaining Cuba's fragile electrical grid. Its shutdown delivers a severe blow to the SEN, which already suffers from deficits exceeding 1,500 megawatts, resulting in daily blackouts across all provinces.
Implications of the Power Outage
Experts caution that such failures highlight the system's vulnerability and reliance on a limited number of aging and overburdened plants. Jorge Gómez Sánchez, an engineer and the production director at Guiteras, noted that the location of the malfunctioning component allows for easier technical intervention, enabling an optimistic forecast for the plant's reactivation. However, this situation underscores the urgent need for a structural overhaul of Cuba's energy sector.
The Cuban government has pledged to recover over 500 MW within the next three years and aims to achieve an energy matrix by 2030, with 70% of generation from domestic fuels and 24% from renewable sources. Nonetheless, these goals seem distant for a population grappling with prolonged power outages and mounting frustration.
Until the Guiteras plant is resynchronized with the SEN, the electric grid will operate under extreme pressure, and power cuts are expected to persist in various parts of the country.
Understanding the Challenges in Cuba's Energy Sector
What caused the Guiteras power plant to go offline?
The Antonio Guiteras plant went offline due to a breakdown in the Regenerative Air Heater (CAR B), specifically a failure in the drive group of the alternating current motor, which detached from the coupling.
How does the outage at Guiteras affect Cuba's electric grid?
The outage at Guiteras is a significant setback for the SEN, which already faces a deficit of over 1,500 megawatts, leading to frequent blackouts across the country.
What are the government's plans for Cuba's energy sector?
The Cuban government plans to recover more than 500 MW in the next three years and aims for a 2030 energy matrix with 70% domestic fuel generation and 24% from renewable sources.