In the early hours of Friday, Cuba's Antonio Guiteras Thermoelectric Power Plant was reconnected to the National Electric System after being out of service since Sunday due to a malfunction. According to a brief statement from the Cuban Electric Union (UNE) released this morning, synchronization occurred at 2:45 a.m., bringing back online the nation's largest power generating facility.
While the return of the Guiteras plant might seem like a positive development, it has been met with skepticism and widespread frustration among Cubans. Despite the plant's reconnection, power outages due to generation shortfalls remain significant, although there is hope for fewer blackouts compared to the previous day.
On Thursday, the UNE reported power outages totaling 1,848 megawatts during peak hours. With the Guiteras plant operational again, this figure is expected to drop to 1,460 MW on Friday. However, the forecast for disruptions remains high, closely linked to fuel shortages and the number of thermoelectric units out of service due to maintenance or breakdowns.
Persistent Power Uncertainty
Cubans are still enduring prolonged power cuts amid growing dissatisfaction with service instability and uncertainty about how long the Matanzas unit will remain operational, given its frequent outages in recent years.
Just hours before the Guiteras plant was reconnected, the state journalist José Miguel Solís had announced its imminent return to service, noting that the countdown for synchronization with the National Electric System would begin with the ignition of the boiler that night.
Complex Repairs and Future Outlook
Engineer Rubén Campos Olmos explained that the repair work was particularly challenging, as the damaged pipes were located in a hard-to-reach area. Nevertheless, the technical objectives were met, including the replacement, welding, and testing of the damaged sections, which should lead to more efficient generation and a significant reduction in water consumption.
Campos Olmos also mentioned that corrective tasks were undertaken on multiple fronts to eliminate operational risks and ensure greater stability in the unit's performance. This is a considerable challenge due to the obsolescence of the block, which has not undergone major maintenance for 16 years.
Despite its technical limitations, the Antonio Guiteras plant boasts the lowest specific fuel consumption among all similar facilities in Cuba, according to official sources. Moreover, its use of domestic oil makes it the least costly generation plant per megawatt in the country, having processed over 20 million tons of crude since it began operations in the late 1990s.
The Plant's Impact and Ongoing Challenges
As the largest single-block unit in the country, with a generation capacity exceeding 200 megawatts, the outage of the Guiteras plant represents a significant loss for the national electricity system. The Matanzas thermoelectric plant suffered a major breakdown early last Sunday, initially expected to be offline for at least 72 hours, a prediction that was ultimately exceeded.
The pressing question now is: How long will it last?
Understanding the Challenges of Cuba's Power System
Why was the Antonio Guiteras plant out of service?
The Antonio Guiteras plant was out of service due to a major malfunction that occurred last Sunday. The repair process was complicated by the damaged pipes being located in a hard-to-reach area.
What impact does the plant's return have on power outages?
Although the plant's return is expected to reduce power outages, the level of disruptions remains high due to ongoing fuel shortages and other thermoelectric units being out of service.
What makes the Antonio Guiteras plant significant?
The Antonio Guiteras plant is the largest single-block unit in Cuba, with a generation capacity exceeding 200 megawatts, making it crucial for the national electricity system.