The Antonio Guiteras Thermoelectric Plant, located in Matanzas, successfully reconnected to the National Electric System (SEN) at midnight on Friday, following a cautious and uncertain startup process. This development was confirmed by government-affiliated journalist José Miguel Solís, who took to Facebook in the afternoon to announce that the plant is "online" and steadily increasing its output, exceeding 160 megawatts (MW) by the end of the day.
Solís, with a hint of irony, noted the plant's unexpected comeback after days of official silence: "So in baseball terms, they had a hidden ball. BRAVO," he wrote.
In addition to confirming the plant's reconnection, Solís has recently adopted a more critical stance on social media, harshly criticizing the management of the Ministry of Energy and Mines (MINEM) and the Cuban regime's leaders. After enduring more than 22 hours without electricity, he demanded fair distribution of blackouts, recalling that during the so-called Special Period, despite scarcity, "the schedule was adhered to."
Express Repairs with Limited Scope
According to the plant's technical deputy director, Román Pérez Castañeda, the repair process included welding work to fix the leak detected on July 29, and these efforts were deemed "successful," as Solís reported. "Operations will proceed with the usual caution until stability in the plant's operating parameters is achieved," Pérez Castañeda added, referring to the gradual technical monitoring during the startup.
An Infrastructure on the Brink of Collapse
With a nominal capacity of 220 MW, the Guiteras plant stands as the largest single-unit power generator in the country. However, its main boiler has not undergone major maintenance since its inception in 1989, making it highly vulnerable. During a statement disseminated by the official Granma newspaper on July 31, Lázaro Guerra Hernández, Director of Electricity at MINEM, openly admitted, "The block will be operational, but not in perfect condition."
Guerra explained that the plant faces a "significant backlog of major maintenance," with the recent failure located in the high-temperature reheater, a critical component. He also warned about the system's overall fragility: "Any abrupt movement of the machine, an unexpected drop, could stress the piping and lead to another failure."
Despite MINEM's assurances of having the resources and personnel to perform repairs within 96 hours, Guerra cautioned that the condition of the air reheater "is not good," potentially leading to further breakdowns.
A Nation in Darkness
The disconnection of the Guiteras plant, alongside other stoppages in thermal power stations and faults in Energas Varadero units (recently resolved, according to Solís), has resulted in electricity deficits nearing 2,000 MW, as reported by the Electric Union last Tuesday.
On that same day, social media users expressed their frustration over power outages lasting up to 20 hours, food spoilage, and lack of potable water. "Hand over the country, anyone could do a better job than them!" a Facebook user exclaimed, highlighting the growing public discontent.
Is This a Restart or Just a Breather?
Although the Guiteras plant has re-synchronized with the SEN, its technical condition continues to raise doubts. According to official reports, the recovery process involved more than 100 corrective tasks, including pipe replacements, metallographic controls, and pressure tests. However, as Guerra Hernández cautioned, rejoining the system does not equate to a permanent fix.
FAQs on Cuba's Power Struggles
What is the current status of the Antonio Guiteras Thermoelectric Plant?
The Antonio Guiteras Thermoelectric Plant has reconnected to the National Electric System and is gradually increasing its power output after completing a cautious startup process.
What challenges does the Guiteras plant face?
The plant faces significant maintenance backlogs, particularly in its main boiler and high-temperature reheater. It is highly vulnerable due to the lack of major maintenance since 1989.
How have recent power outages affected Cuban citizens?
Cuban citizens have suffered from power outages lasting up to 20 hours, leading to food spoilage and lack of access to potable water, sparking widespread frustration and criticism of the government.