The ongoing energy crisis in Cuba shows no signs of abating. On Tuesday, July 1st, the National Electric System (SEN) was reported to have remained affected throughout Monday and into the early hours of Tuesday, according to the Unión Eléctrica (UNE). The power deficit exceeded even the official projections.
In a technical report released by the state-run company, it was revealed that the peak shortfall on Monday reached 1,759 megawatts (MW) at 9:00 p.m. This figure surpassed the initial forecast by nearly 200 MW. The failure to adhere to the planned schedule was attributed to the non-operation of units 5 at the Mariel and Nuevitas thermoelectric plants, along with the unexpected shutdown of unit 6 at Energás Jaruco, thrusting the nation into a critical state just as summer begins.
For Tuesday night's peak hours, UNE anticipated an availability of merely 1,995 MW compared to a projected demand of 3,500 MW, resulting in a deficit of 1,505 MW. If no new malfunctions occur, the predicted impact could reach up to 1,575 MW.
Earlier in the day, the SEN had a capacity of 1,830 MW against a demand of 3,010 MW, leading to a shortfall of 1,217 MW due to capacity limits. During midday, an expected impact of 1,150 MW was projected.
Renewable energy sources have been unable to make a significant difference. On Monday, the 18 installed photovoltaic solar parks produced only 1,504 megawatt hours, with a peak output of 318 MW at noon, a minimal amount compared to the total national demand.
Technically, there appears to be no improvement on the horizon. Units 5 at Mariel, 5 at Nuevitas, and 2 at Felton remain out of service due to breakdowns. Meanwhile, three other plants—located in Santa Cruz, Cienfuegos, and Renté—are offline for maintenance.
Thermal limitations continue to keep 352 MW offline, while a shortage of fuel and lubricants has stalled 97 distributed generation plants (860 MW) and an additional 30 MW due to lack of oil.
With summer just beginning, the outlook is grim: the energy crisis is worsening, and real solutions remain elusive.
Understanding Cuba's Energy Crisis
What is causing the power shortages in Cuba?
The power shortages in Cuba are primarily due to the failure of key thermoelectric units, unexpected shutdowns, and insufficient renewable energy output. Additionally, shortages of fuel and lubricants have compounded the problem, affecting distributed generation plants.
How severe is the current power deficit in Cuba?
The current power deficit in Cuba is significant, with peak shortfalls reaching up to 1,759 MW, surpassing initial forecasts. This has led to widespread and prolonged power outages across the country.
What are the prospects for resolving the energy crisis in Cuba?
The prospects for resolving Cuba's energy crisis remain bleak as technical issues persist and fuel shortages continue. Without significant changes or new solutions, the crisis is likely to worsen, particularly during the summer months.