As August begins, Cuba is grappling with another full day of power outages, a persistent issue despite the recent reactivation of the Antonio Guiteras Thermoelectric Plant into the National Electric System (SEN). The official report from the Electric Union (UNE) confirmed disruptions throughout Saturday and into the early hours of Sunday, with the peak impact reaching 1,756 megawatts (MW) at 9:10 PM.
Although the return of the Guiteras plant initially seemed promising, the disconnection of the Turkish floating power station docked in Havana for "commercial reasons", which has a capacity of 240 MW, negated any improvement in energy availability. The Ministry of Energy and Mines stated that measures were taken to mitigate its impact, yet the reality is that the state of the SEN remains dire.
By Sunday morning, the available capacity was 2,095 MW, while the demand stood at 3,200 MW, resulting in a shortfall of 1,140 MW. During peak hours, a deficit of 1,605 MW is expected, with potential service interruptions affecting up to 1,675 MW.
Structural issues remain unresolved, including failures in units 2 of the Felton Thermoelectric Plant and unit 5 of Diez de Octubre, as well as maintenance at key plants like Santa Cruz, Céspedes, and Renté. Additionally, 392 MW are offline due to thermal limitations, and 71 distributed generation centers are inactive due to fuel shortages, contributing another 501 MW out of service.
In a parallel effort, the government has started installing storage batteries at four substations across the country. These units aim to store some of the solar energy generated during the day to help bolster nighttime supply. However, this project is still in its infancy and its impact is minimal compared to the overarching collapse of Cuba's energy infrastructure.
With the Guiteras plant operational yet unable to truly stabilize the system, the energy outlook remains bleak for the Cuban people.
Cuba's Energy Crisis: Questions and Answers
What is causing the ongoing power outages in Cuba?
The ongoing power outages in Cuba are primarily due to structural failures in key thermoelectric plants, maintenance issues, and fuel shortages affecting the availability of power generation units.
How is the Cuban government addressing the energy shortfall?
The government is installing storage batteries at several substations to store solar energy for nighttime use, though this initiative is still in its early stages and offers limited relief.
What role does the Antonio Guiteras Thermoelectric Plant play in Cuba's energy supply?
The Antonio Guiteras Thermoelectric Plant is a significant part of Cuba's energy supply. Its recent reactivation was expected to alleviate power shortages, but other factors have nullified its impact.