On Wednesday, a significant portion of Santiago de Cuba was left without electricity following a failure in a 110kV line, which disrupted the Héctor Pavón, Santiago Norte, and Este substations. This incident affected numerous circuits across the province, as reported by the local Electric Company. The company shared this latest energy setback on their Facebook page, stating, “Our specialists are investigating the causes to provide more information soon.”
Meanwhile, the national energy situation remains dire. The National Electric Union (UNE) announced on Wednesday that the power generation shortfall would exceed 2,000 MW during the peak demand period, a figure that spells ongoing blackouts throughout the day for the National Electric System (SEN).
SEN on the Brink of Collapse
On Tuesday at 7:00 p.m., the lack of capacity soared to 2,052 MW, surpassing even the authorities' own predictions. The immediate cause was the failure to bring online unit 5 of the CTE Renté and the engines of the Fuel Mariel power plant, critical components that remain out of service.
As of 6:00 a.m. this Wednesday, the SEN's available capacity was just 1,400 MW, against a demand of 2,750 MW, leaving more than 1,300 MW unmet. The forecast for peak hours is even bleaker: only 1,580 MW available against a demand of 3,500 MW, creating a staggering shortfall of nearly 2,000 MW.
Unfulfilled Promises
Despite the severity of the crisis, Minister of Energy and Mines, Vicente de la O Levy, claimed that the situation could improve by October. This promise, like many others, appears to be a political tactic to instill hope in a population suffering from prolonged blackouts and a deteriorating electrical system.
This information was shared on Wednesday by state journalist Lázaro Manuel Alonso on his Facebook profile, following a conversation with the Minister. De la O acknowledged the critical state of the SEN, worsened by the shutdown of Felton unit 1, engine failures at Mariel, the Nuevitas 5 outage, and the non-operational Renté 5 post-maintenance, casting doubt on previous promises.
The official explained that the crisis is exacerbated by aging equipment, deferred maintenance, and a lack of funds for major repairs—the same arguments the regime has used to justify its failings over the past years. He also admitted that of the eight floating power generation barges, only two remain in the country, contributing a mere 70 MW, as the others were withdrawn due to an inability to pay the contracts.
Understanding Cuba's Power Crisis
What caused the power outage in Santiago de Cuba?
The power outage was caused by a failure in a 110kV line, which affected several substations and circuits in the province.
How severe is the power generation shortfall in Cuba?
The power generation shortfall is severe, with deficits exceeding 2,000 MW during peak demand times, leading to continuous blackouts.
What are the main challenges facing Cuba's electrical system?
Cuba's electrical system is challenged by aging equipment, postponed maintenance, and insufficient funding for major repairs.