The Antonio Guiteras Thermoelectric Plant, located in Matanzas, has encountered a severe malfunction early Sunday morning that will keep it offline for at least 72 hours. Rubén Campos Olmos, the plant's general manager, confirmed this information to state journalist José Miguel Solís.
"Despite resolving the issue with the forced draft fan that had previously limited us, the boiler's seal in the combustion area failed early this morning. Additionally, during our inspection, we discovered a water leak and a crack," Campos Olmos explained. He stressed that the cooling process for the boiler has already begun, but the repair work will take no less than three days and will be handled by the plant's technical staff.
The Fragile Status of the Guiteras Plant
With 36 years of operation and 16 years without comprehensive maintenance, the Guiteras plant remains a fragile pillar of the National Electric System (SEN).
Escalating Energy Crisis: Over 1,800 MW Deficit During Peak Hours
The Electric Union (UNE) reported that power service was disrupted throughout Saturday, continuing into the early hours of Sunday. As of 7:00 a.m., the SEN's availability was a mere 1,746 megawatts (MW), against a demand of 3,273 MW, resulting in a shortage of 1,590 MW.
The situation could worsen in the following hours. For peak hours on Sunday, availability is expected to be only 1,936 MW, while the maximum demand could reach 3,700 MW, leading to a deficit of 1,764 MW and potential outages of up to 1,834 MW if additional generation capacities are not restored.
Recent Maintenance Efforts Fall Short
The Antonio Guiteras Plant managed to reconnect with the SEN on Friday night, following a maintenance shutdown that lasted several days and raised hopes of relief amid the persistent blackouts affecting the Cuban population.
The UNE confirmed that synchronization occurred at 9:00 p.m. on Friday, contributing around 170 MW to the system. They assured that the planned maintenance was successfully completed.
Power outages in Cuba are increasingly devastating, with areas enduring over 24 hours without electricity, lacking potable water service, and struggling to preserve limited food supplies.
Understanding Cuba's Power Crisis
What caused the latest outage at the Antonio Guiteras Plant?
The latest outage was triggered by a failure in the boiler's seal within the combustion area, alongside a water leak and a crack discovered during inspection.
How long will the Antonio Guiteras Plant remain offline?
The plant is expected to be out of service for at least 72 hours as technical staff work on repairs.
What is the current energy deficit in Cuba?
As of the latest report, Cuba faces an energy deficit of 1,764 MW during peak hours, with potential outages affecting up to 1,834 MW.
What impact do the power outages have on Cuban citizens?
The outages are severely affecting citizens, leaving them without electricity, potable water, and the ability to preserve food for extended periods.