The Antonio Guiteras Thermoelectric Power Plant is gearing up for another controlled disconnection from the National Electric System (SEN) this Wednesday due to a water leak in its boiler, as reported by state journalist José Miguel Solís on social media.
Experts associated with the facility suggest that a new malfunction in the economizer is likely the cause.
This shutdown comes just two days after the Guiteras plant resumed operations on Monday, June 22, at 8:54 a.m., following a repair that involved replacing over 100 defective weld seams.
With this latest interruption, the power plant has experienced 16 system outages in 2026 alone.
At the time of the breakdown, the plant was contributing a stable 250 MW to the SEN.
Repeated Failures Highlight Deterioration
The pattern of breakdowns in June underscores the ongoing wear and tear: the plant went offline on June 15 due to another boiler leak, and shortly after, director Román Pérez Castañeda explained a welding seam failure had damaged three additional tubes, leaving four tubes in total affected.
This repair, which kept the unit offline for at least five days, was completed on Monday. Less than 48 hours later, the plant failed again.
Dire Impact on Cuba's Energy Supply
The repercussions on the electrical grid are immediate. The Electric Union (UNE) forecasted a peak hour availability of only 1,175 MW against a demand of 3,200 MW this Wednesday, leading to a deficit of 2,025 MW and an anticipated impact of 2,055 MW.
On Tuesday, the peak shortfall reached 2,037 MW at 8:30 p.m. Compounding this issue, 106 distributed generation plants remain offline due to lack of fuel, equivalent to an additional 890 MW not being generated.
The CTE Máximo Gómez (unit 8) also went offline this Wednesday, exacerbating the national energy crisis.
Structural Issues Demand Urgent Attention
The root of Guiteras' problems is structural. The boiler has been in use for over 38 years and has not undergone major maintenance since 2010.
From January to May 29, 2026, the plant was out of service for 293 hours solely due to economizer defects.
Pérez Castañeda publicly acknowledged that at least 180 days of downtime are required for a comprehensive overhaul, but admitted that "the country's situation still doesn't allow for it."
Energy and Mining Minister Vicente de la O Levy promised this major maintenance by the end of 2025, postponed it in December citing a "temporary issue," and announced it again in April 2026 without setting a specific date.
Meanwhile, Cuba's largest thermoelectric plant continues to operate at the brink, with piecemeal repairs that fail to address the underlying decay, leaving millions of Cubans to endure power outages lasting up to 85 consecutive hours in provinces like Matanzas.
Frequently Asked Questions About Guiteras Power Plant Issues
What is causing the frequent breakdowns at the Guiteras Power Plant?
The frequent breakdowns are primarily due to structural issues in the economizer and the aging boiler, which has not had comprehensive maintenance since 2010.
How does the shutdown of Guiteras affect Cuba's electric supply?
The shutdown of Guiteras leads to significant power shortages, as it is a major contributor to the National Electric System, resulting in widespread power outages across the country.
What measures are being taken to resolve these issues?
Authorities have acknowledged the need for a major overhaul requiring at least 180 days of downtime, but due to the country's current situation, comprehensive repairs have not yet been scheduled.