Widespread power outages swept across Cuba on Saturday and continued into the early hours of Sunday, plunging millions into darkness. The Electric Union (UNE) declared it a day of severe impact on the National Electric System (SEN). The UNE reported that the generation capacity shortfall soared to 2010 MW by 8:50 pm, surpassing planned levels due to the unexpected shutdown of unit 6 at the Renté thermoelectric plant and the failure to bring unit 5 of the Mariel plant online.
As of early Sunday morning, the SEN's available capacity stood at 1700 MW while demand reached 3000 MW, resulting in a deficit of 1330 MW. By midday, an impact of 1200 MW was projected, escalating to a 1640 MW shortfall during peak hours, with an anticipated impact of 1710 MW, indicating no signs of energy improvement.
Currently, several units are offline: two at the Felton plant and two at the Nuevitas plant are out of service due to failures, while three blocks at the Santa Cruz, Cienfuegos, and Felton plants remain under maintenance. Thermal generation limitations total 492 MW. Furthermore, 46 distributed generation plants are offline due to fuel shortages, with 369 MW unavailable, plus an additional 120 MW down due to lubricant shortages, totaling 489 MW not operational.
During peak hours, 160 MW are expected to come online from distributed generation engines that are currently non-operational due to fuel shortages. Amid this crisis, the 31 new photovoltaic solar parks produced 2594 MWh, with a maximum power delivery of 466 MW during midday, insufficient to meet the country's total demand.
The situation in Havana was equally dire. The Electric Company reported that the service was interrupted for 24 hours, though it was partially restored by 6:36 am on Sunday. The capital faced a maximum impact of 258 MW at 9:30 pm, with all six distribution blocks compromised, thwarting planned operations. The company highlighted that service restoration is entirely dependent on SEN's requirements, underscoring the structural vulnerability of Cuba's electrical system.
These blackouts add to a series of longstanding issues plaguing the nation for months, including aging plants, inadequate maintenance, and an increasing reliance on distributed generation and solar sources that have yet to offset thermal deficits. The UNE forecasts continuing blackouts for the population throughout Sunday unless generation conditions change.
Key Questions About Cuba's Power Crisis
What caused the massive blackouts in Cuba?
The blackouts were primarily caused by an unexpected shutdown of a power unit at the Renté thermoelectric plant and the inability to bring another unit online at the Mariel plant, along with existing maintenance issues and fuel shortages.
How severe is the power deficit in Cuba?
The deficit reached 2010 MW on Saturday night, with ongoing shortages expected to continue, affecting millions due to insufficient generation capacity compared to the demand.
What measures are being taken to address the power shortages?
Efforts include bringing 160 MW from distributed generation engines online during peak hours and utilizing 31 new photovoltaic solar parks, though these measures are not yet sufficient to fully meet demand.