Unexpected Boiler Malfunction Causes Complete Collapse of Cuba's Electrical System

An erroneous signal indicating overheated steam in the boiler led to the automatic shutdown of the Antonio Guiteras Thermoelectric Plant in Matanzas, triggering a total collapse of the National Electrical System (NES) on Wednesday. This information was verified by the state-run newspaper Girón, which reported on Facebook that the boiler's automatic system malfunctioned due to the anomaly, resulting in the thermal block's disconnection.

Rubén Campos Olmo, the plant's director, explained that following an incident of this nature, the Guiteras plant requires external power to restart operations, a process that hinges on the stability of the system in other areas. He cautioned that it remains uncertain when the plant will be able to resume operations and whether the abrupt shutdown caused additional damage to the unit, casting doubt on any short-term improvements.

This incident took place just three days after another blackout left eastern Cuba in darkness, marking the second significant collapse of the year and highlighting the inherent weaknesses of the national electrical system. In a separate report, the official newspaper emphasized that the false signal in the automatic system causing the plant's shutdown has been resolved, as confirmed by Mario Sabines Lorenzo, the first secretary of the PCC in Matanzas.

"From the control center, they assure readiness to initiate the plant's restart as soon as power is restored," the news portal noted, adopting a noticeably optimistic tone. Additionally, efforts are underway in various regions to establish microsystems to expedite the system's restoration as quickly as possible.

The Electric Union reported that at 9:14 a.m. on Wednesday, a complete collapse of the national electrical system occurred, leaving the entire country without service for an indefinite period. The unexpected shutdown of the CTE Antonio Guiteras was cited as the cause.

In a brief official statement, the state entity confirmed the system's collapse, occurring just days after last Sunday's blackout in eastern Cuba. The UNE reiterated the cause: "National Electroenergetic System collapse following the unexpected shutdown of the CTE Antonio Guiteras," the same cause behind previous massive blackouts during a day that anticipated an impact of 1,790 MW.

Cuban Prime Minister Manuel Marrero Cruz boasted on Wednesday that the government has a well-defined strategy to address the total collapse of the NES—though not to prevent it—which occurred in the morning hours. “We have a well-defined strategy to confront this situation and rely on the professionalism of UNE workers to progress in the system's restoration as quickly as possible,” Marrero wrote on his X profile, where he also claimed that the public would be kept informed of the recovery process, although this does not guarantee swift action, let alone effectiveness.

This collapse marks Cuba's fifth national blackout in less than a year, a stark illustration of the National Electrical System's vulnerability and the regime's inability to resolve a crisis that disrupts the daily lives of millions.