The Antonio Guiteras Thermoelectric Power Plant, a key energy provider located in Matanzas, Cuba, was removed from the National Electric System (SEN) this past Friday.
The initial announcement from the Cuban Electric Union (UNE) came through a brief post on Facebook. Later, they issued a follow-up statement that did little to calm the storm of criticism.
In their subsequent message, the UNE stated that the plant would be offline from around 9:00 a.m. due to a power drop to 120 MW, necessitating “urgent maintenance” to restore output. Unlike the first message, this one included a timeline: the shutdown is expected to last four days, with plans to reconnect by next Tuesday.
The initial lack of detailed information and the repeated use of vague terms like “urgent defects” immediately fueled public outrage on social media platforms.
Electric Grid on the Brink of Collapse
The shutdown of the Guiteras plant comes at a particularly critical time for the SEN. According to the UNE's official report on November 7, national electricity availability was at 1,529 MW, against a demand of 2,107 MW, already marking a 589 MW shortfall in the morning. The evening peak demand is expected to see an even greater imbalance: a deficit of 1,335 MW, with a total impact of 1,405 MW anticipated.
Recurring issues include:
- Breakdowns in units located in Nuevitas, Felton, and Antonio Maceo.
- Maintenance work in Santa Cruz del Norte and Céspedes.
- Severe limitations in distributed generation due to a lack of fuel and lubricants.
- Seventy power plants are offline, accounting for 723 MW unavailable.
Meanwhile, the 22 photovoltaic solar parks in the West and Central regions, although contributing significantly (1,959 MWh), remain insufficient to offset the inefficiencies of the thermal plants.
Public Reactions: Anger and Desperation
Social media has been flooded with expressions of indignation, sarcasm, and frustration. Some comments used biting humor: "This country is an ‘urgent defect’," quipped one user. However, most expressed deep exhaustion with the prolonged energy crisis, the lack of official transparency, and the everyday consequences of power outages: spoiled food, increased illness, mosquito infestations, lack of water, and sleepless nights.
Citizens across the country describe dire situations:
- In Santiago de Cuba, some central areas have been without electricity for over 12 days and without potable water for more than two months.
- In Artemisa, a constant 180 MW deficit is reported, regardless of the time of day.
- In San Antonio de los Baños, outages last up to 16 hours daily, with brief power returns insufficient for charging equipment or cooking.
- In Ciego de Ávila, a resident summarized the situation: “We get an hour and a half of power for every 12 hours of blackout. It matters to no one.”
- In Matanzas, the very province housing the Guiteras plant, many feel they are paying a disproportionate price.
There are also more serious accusations: from uneven distribution of outages to claims that certain circuits in the capital remain "untouched," while the rest of the country languishes in darkness.
The Symbolic Weight of the Guiteras Plant
Each mention of the Antonio Guiteras Power Plant revives the same cycle: ambiguous announcements, a shutdown, weeks or months of severe blackouts, followed by a reintegration that never assures stability. This plant, meant to be a pillar of energy security for western Cuba, has become emblematic of the general decline of the electrical system.
UNE had indicated in previous months that the unit would undergo a scheduled major maintenance shutdown by the end of 2025. However, this forced outage, deemed "urgent," casts doubt not only on its technical reliability but also on the Cuban state's energy planning capabilities.
Most citizens doubt the plant will be back online by Tuesday. Even if it does return, the population no longer sees these actions as solutions but as part of the same cycle of temporary fixes and broken promises.
Conclusion: A Nation in Darkness and Despair
The blackout is not solely an electrical issue; it is institutional, economic, and emotional. The shutdown of the Guiteras plant is just one piece of the systemic collapse affecting the island. Each plant failure dims not only the power supply but also the patience, mental health, and hope of millions of Cubans.
In this scenario, the UNE continues to fall back on phrases like "urgent defects," without offering comprehensive technical explanations, detailed timelines, or structural solution alternatives.
It is not just about energy; it is about the right to live with dignity.
Understanding Cuba's Energy Crisis
What is causing the frequent power outages in Cuba?
Frequent power outages in Cuba are caused by a combination of factors, including breakdowns in major power plants, maintenance works, and severe limitations in distributed generation due to shortages of fuel and lubricants.
How does the shutdown of the Antonio Guiteras plant affect the national grid?
The shutdown of the Antonio Guiteras plant exacerbates the already critical state of the national grid, contributing to increased power deficits and more frequent and prolonged blackouts across the country.
What are the public's reactions to the power outages?
Public reactions to the power outages are filled with indignation, sarcasm, and frustration, with citizens expressing exhaustion over the prolonged crisis and the lack of transparency and effective solutions from the government.
What is the symbolic significance of the Guiteras plant?
The Guiteras plant symbolizes the broader decline of Cuba's electrical system, representing the cycle of ambiguous announcements, shutdowns, and unreliable power supply that has become commonplace.