The leaders of the Antonio Guiteras thermoelectric plant in Matanzas have announced plans to conduct a hydraulic test this Tuesday. This comes after fractures were identified in the pipes of one of the boiler's water walls, which led to the plant being offline from the National Electric System (SEN) last Sunday.
The information was shared by government-aligned journalist José Miguel Solís on Facebook, where he mentioned that if the test yields positive results, the plant might attempt to restart operations and rejoin the country's power generation efforts. "The workers at the Guiteras faced a breakdown that compromised the boiler's pressure, and along with the water loss, forced the unit offline," explained engineer Rubén Campos Olmos, the plant's general director, also cited by Solís.
During this unplanned downtime, corrective measures are being taken on multiple internal systems. The opportunity is being used to carry out partial maintenance tasks while significant preparations are underway for a comprehensive maintenance scheduled for the end of the year.
This setback comes mere hours after the Guiteras managed to reconnect with the SEN last Friday, July 19, following several days of inactivity. However, this stability was short-lived as the boiler failed again the next day. Such issues have become a persistent challenge at the plant.
Despite the persistent difficulties, regime officials remain hopeful for maintenance that could restore stability. The Guiteras plant has become one of the most unreliable units in Cuba's electric grid, plagued by aging infrastructure, frequent breakdowns, and a shortage of spare parts.
Each new malfunction exacerbates the national energy crisis, characterized by daily blackouts lasting over 14 hours in many regions. "Campos Olmos noted that preparations for the comprehensive maintenance planned for later this year have not been abandoned, with significant progress being made," Solís reported without providing further details.
While plant executives remain optimistic about a swift recovery, the cyclic pattern of synchronization, breakdowns, and technical shutdowns continues unabated, eroding public trust in the system and the authorities' assurances.
FAQs on Guiteras Plant Operations and Challenges
What caused the latest shutdown of the Guiteras plant?
The recent shutdown was due to fractures identified in the pipes of one of the boiler's water walls, which compromised the plant's ability to maintain pressure.
What are the implications of the Guiteras plant's frequent breakdowns?
Frequent breakdowns at the Guiteras plant aggravate Cuba's national energy crisis, leading to prolonged daily blackouts in many areas.
What steps are being taken to address the issues at the Guiteras plant?
Corrective actions and partial maintenance are currently being undertaken, with plans for a comprehensive maintenance at the end of the year.