The latest malfunction at the Energás Jaruco thermoelectric plant, located in Mayabeque province, led to power outages across several Havana municipalities on Tuesday, further complicating Cuba's already dire energy situation. The Havana Electric Company announced on Facebook that the unexpected shutdown of units 3, 4, and 6 at the plant resulted in an emergency situation due to the triggering of the feed water pump.
This incident necessitated the emergency reduction of 163 megawatts (MW), affecting various circuits in blocks 3, 4, and 6 of the capital's system. "As soon as the National Electric System (SEN) requirements allow, the blocks will be gradually restored based on the longest affected times until the schedule is fulfilled," the state-owned company stated.
The breakdown occurred just hours after the Cuban Electric Union (UNE) reported the same three units in Jaruco going offline. This facility is a crucial part of the gas and electricity generation system in western Cuba. The incident coincides with a nationwide low in power generation availability, causing disruptions exceeding 1,700 MW since the beginning of the week.
While specific Havana municipalities affected were not detailed, citizen reports on social media indicate extended outages in areas such as Playa, Marianao, Cerro, and La Lisa, with intermittent interruptions in Centro Habana and Habana del Este.
Inaugurated over two decades ago as a joint venture between Cuba and Canada, the Energás Jaruco plant uses natural gas extracted alongside oil in the region. Its contribution is vital for maintaining power generation in western Cuba, making any system failure trigger widespread blackouts in the capital and nearby provinces.
Last week, the Cuban regime added another chapter to its long list of unusual explanations for the struggling SEN's failures: sargassum was, at that time, blamed for a generating unit going offline at Energás Jaruco in Mayabeque province.
Additionally, the UNE reported on social media about a malfunction in the boiler of unit 1 at the Lidio Ramón Pérez thermoelectric plant, known as Felton, which forced a shutdown and cooling process on Saturday night around 11:40 PM.
Key Issues with Cuba's Energy System
What caused the latest power outages in Havana?
The recent power outages in Havana were caused by a malfunction at the Energás Jaruco thermoelectric plant, resulting in the shutdown of units 3, 4, and 6, which led to an emergency power reduction.
How does the Energás Jaruco plant contribute to Cuba's energy system?
The Energás Jaruco plant is a key facility in western Cuba's gas and electricity generation system, using natural gas extracted with oil to help maintain power supply in the region.
What other issues are affecting Cuba's electricity supply?
In addition to the issues at Energás Jaruco, a malfunction at the Lidio Ramón Pérez plant's boiler forced a shutdown, further impacting Cuba's already strained electricity supply.