The Antonio Guiteras Thermoelectric Plant, Cuba's largest power-generating unit, remains out of commission despite officials announcing on Friday afternoon that they had fixed the issue that had disconnected it from the National Electric System (SEN) earlier in the day. Close to midnight, state journalist José Miguel Solís posted on social media that the startup process could not be completed due to a new technical glitch.
"A malfunction occurred in one of the feed pumps during the startup process," reported Solís, referencing the plant's technical director, Engineer Román Pérez Castañeda. "The new issue will take us between six to eight hours to resolve," added the director.
Contradicting Official Reports
This latest problem contradicts earlier statements from the Electric Union (UNE), which had claimed that the initial fault—a break in the traction group of the alternating current motor of the Regenerative Air Heater—had already been resolved. They had assured that the unit would rejoin the SEN by early morning.
Critical Energy Situation
The shutdown of the Guiteras plant on Friday has plunged the country into an even more dire energy crisis, with a deficit nearing the brink of a total system collapse. Although authorities rushed to announce a successful repair, the new malfunction underscores the extreme technical and operational fragility of Cuba's energy infrastructure, heavily reliant on aging facilities.
In his post, Solís praised the dedication of the plant's technical team, who remained on-site throughout the night, but he avoided providing a precise timeline for when the unit might finally sync with the SEN.
When Will the Guiteras Be Operational Again?
As of the time of this report, the Antonio Guiteras Thermoelectric Plant has not been reintegrated into the country's power system, and there is no definite timetable for its return. The combination of inaccurate information and successive failures at the plant highlights a pattern of recurring technical collapses that continue to severely affect the Cuban population, who endure prolonged and widespread blackouts. During the outages on Wednesday, people took to the streets to protest in eastern cities like Santiago de Cuba and Bayamo. On Friday night, demonstrations also erupted in Bayamo and spread to Cienfuegos in the central region of the country.
FAQs on Cuba's Energy Crisis
Why is the Antonio Guiteras Plant out of service?
The plant experienced a malfunction in one of its feed pumps during the startup process, following an initial fault in the motor of the Regenerative Air Heater.
What impact does the power plant's shutdown have on Cuba?
The shutdown worsens Cuba's energy crisis, bringing the power system closer to collapse and causing widespread blackouts, leading to public protests.