The Antonio Guiteras thermoelectric plant in Matanzas is anticipated to reconnect with Cuba's National Electric System (SEN) early Friday morning, following a period of extensive repairs. This potential return coincides with the official celebrations of July 26—a significant date for the Cuban government—offering a conveniently timed solution after a spell of power outages and energy instability.
The announcement was made on Thursday by state journalist José Miguel Solís, who revealed on his Facebook profile that the boiler would be ignited overnight, signaling the countdown to the much-anticipated reactivation of the generating unit. The repair work, focusing on replacement, welding, and inspection of pipes in a challenging-to-access area, was described as "highly complex."
Despite these challenges, engineer Rubén Campos Olmos confirmed that technical goals were achieved, including a reduction in the plant's excessive water consumption—a persistent issue threatening the unit's operations. Additionally, corrective measures were implemented across several areas to extend the plant's continuous operational time, within the context of an aging main block that hasn't undergone major maintenance in 16 years, as emphasized by the official spokesperson.
Even with its criticized technical condition, the Guiteras plant is still regarded as "one of the most efficient in the country," featuring the lowest specific fuel consumption among Cuban thermoelectric plants. It operates using domestic crude oil, which provides a cost advantage per megawatt generated, according to official statistics.
The plant's return to the SEN comes at a time of severe blackouts across the nation, raising hopes among Cubans who have experienced a worsening electricity shortage in recent weeks. However, maintaining the operational stability of a plant that has long been pushed to its limits remains a significant challenge, with breakdowns becoming increasingly frequent.
On Wednesday, it was announced that the plant would remain offline from the SEN for at least another 24 hours as repair efforts progressed, dashing the public's hopes for reduced outages. The Guiteras suffered a major breakdown early last Sunday, leading to a minimum 72-hour service suspension. Yet, plant officials indicated a hydraulic test was scheduled for Tuesday after identifying fractured pipes in one of the boiler's water walls, whose rupture prompted the shutdown.
These "unexpected" issues arose shortly after the Guiteras entered planned maintenance, which had promised to restore 40 megawatts of power to the "most efficient and stable" unit of the SEN.
Understanding the Challenges of Cuba's Energy Crisis
What caused the recent outages at the Antonio Guiteras plant?
The recent outages at the Guiteras plant were primarily due to a major breakdown involving fractured pipes in the boiler's water walls, which led to a shutdown for extensive repairs.
Why is the Guiteras plant considered efficient despite its technical issues?
Despite its technical challenges, the Guiteras plant is viewed as efficient because it has the lowest specific fuel consumption among Cuban thermoelectric plants and operates on domestic crude oil, which is cost-effective.
How has the energy crisis affected the Cuban population recently?
The Cuban population has faced increased power outages and energy shortages, leading to widespread dissatisfaction and challenges in daily life due to the lack of reliable electricity.