The shutdown of Unit 3 at the Carlos Manuel de Céspedes thermoelectric plant in Cienfuegos today has further complicated the operation of Cuba's National Electric System (SEN). This outage exacerbates the generation deficit, leaving millions of Cubans facing frequent power cuts with no immediate solutions in sight.
According to the Havana Electric Company via their Telegram channel, a malfunction in the condenser of Unit 3 led to its removal from service. Consequently, reserve blocks 3 and 5 in Havana are fully compromised, and blocks 1 and 2 will remain offline until the defect (triggered by DAF) is fixed.
Official journalist Lázaro Manuel Alonso highlighted on Facebook that this mechanical failure intensifies the challenges for the SEN, resulting in increased disruptions across the nation. "In Havana, four of the six blocks are impacted," Alonso emphasized.
In a separate Facebook update, the Havana Electric Company confirmed that due to the low generation availability, it was necessary to cut 30 MW in an emergency from reserve block 5. The company urged residents to stay informed through official channels and the Telephone Assistance Center at 18888.
Earlier, the Cuban Electric Union (UNE) refuted rumors about an impending three-day nationwide blackout starting this Friday, labeling it as fake news and asserting that the SEN was stable.
This situation underscores the inadequacy of temporary measures and fixes in ensuring stability. The authorities have yet to announce concrete plans to restore generating capacity and prevent widespread blackouts. The ongoing power outages are increasingly seen as a structural issue within Cuba's electrical system, directly impacting daily life while the government manages the crisis with limited official information and temporary solutions that fail to address the core problem.
For many, the electrical crisis is not a fleeting issue but the result of decades of neglect, poor management, and a lack of investment. A recent poll on CiberCuba's Facebook page revealed that 83% of Cubans believe the government should relinquish power due to its inability to resolve the electrical crisis.
The SEN's condition remains dire. The UNE's daily report indicated that the maximum impact from the generation capacity deficit the previous day was 1,733 MW at 9:50 PM. Although some generating blocks are expected to gradually come online during Friday's peak hours, a deficit of 1,595 MW was projected, which is likely to increase with the shutdown of Unit 3 at the Carlos Manuel de Céspedes plant.
Understanding Cuba's Electrical Crisis
What caused the shutdown of the Carlos Manuel de Céspedes plant?
The shutdown was caused by a malfunction in the condenser of Unit 3, leading to its removal from service.
How does the shutdown affect Havana's power supply?
The shutdown has resulted in four out of six power blocks in Havana being affected, worsening the power supply issues.
Is there a risk of a nationwide blackout?
The Cuban Electric Union has dismissed claims of an impending nationwide blackout, stating that the system is stable despite current challenges.
What is the public's perception of the government's handling of the electrical crisis?
A significant portion of the population, 83% according to a CiberCuba poll, believes the government should step down due to its failure to address the crisis effectively.