The Antonio Guiteras Thermoelectric Power Plant was reconnected to Cuba's National Electric System (SEN) in the early hours of Monday morning, as confirmed by the Cuban Electric Union (UNE) on their official Facebook page: "In the early morning hours today, the unit at the Antonio Guiteras CTE synchronized with the SEN."
Despite the plant's return—Cuba's largest with a nominal capacity of 250 MW—the outlook remains bleak for Cuban citizens. According to the UNE's June 29 report, system availability at 6:00 AM was just 1,100 MW against a demand of 2,800 MW, with 1,673 MW affected.
Evening peak hours are expected to be equally dire, with available capacity at 1,100 MW opposed to a demand of 3,150 MW, resulting in a deficit of 2,050 MW and an estimated impact of 2,080 MW.
On Sunday, the maximum impact reached 2,140 MW at 8:50 PM, and just four days prior, on June 25, the country experienced its most significant recent power deficit: 2,208 MW at 8:50 PM, leaving over 70% of the nation without electricity.
The Guiteras plant's return follows days of unsuccessful attempts. It exited the SEN on June 24 at 5:48 PM due to water loss in the boiler, merely two days after rejoining on June 22. A hydraulic test on Sunday unveiled new leaks, preventing its reintegration, marking its 16th exit from the system in 2026.
The pattern is unmistakably regular: the plant deactivates, undergoes partial repairs, briefly resumes operation, and then fails again—an issue the government can no longer conceal.
The core problem is structural. Guiteras has been operational for over 38 years without comprehensive maintenance since 2010. Between January and May 29, 2026, it was offline for 293 hours due solely to economizer defects.
Experts estimate that around 500 tubes and between 1,000 and 1,200 weld seams need repairs, requiring at least 180 days of downtime. UNE Director Román Pérez Castañeda has publicly acknowledged this need but admitted, "the country's current situation doesn't allow for it."
Energy and Mines Minister Vicente de la O Levy promised extensive maintenance by late 2025, postponed it in December due to a "situational issue," and again announced it in April 2026 without setting a specific date.
Guiteras' structural frailty is compounded by the shutdown of 106 distributed generation plants due to fuel shortages, equating to 890 MW, and another 1,203 MW inactive at strategic sites such as Patana de Regla, Patana de Melones, and the Mariel and Moa fuel centers.
Cuba requires between 90,000 and 110,000 barrels of oil daily to support its electric grid, yet it produces only 40,000.
The impact on the population is devastating: Matanzas, home to the Guiteras plant, endured up to 85 consecutive hours without power in June, while Havana experiences outages lasting up to 22-24 hours daily.
On Sunday, the country's 54 new solar photovoltaic parks contributed 4,870 MWh, with a maximum output of 759 MW at noon. However, this generation vanishes after sunset, precisely when demand peaks and the deficit surges.
Challenges Facing Cuba's Electric System
Why does the Guiteras plant frequently disconnect from the grid?
The Guiteras plant often disconnects due to structural issues and a lack of comprehensive maintenance since 2010, leading to repeated failures.
What are the main causes of Cuba's power outages?
Cuba's power outages are primarily caused by a combination of outdated infrastructure, fuel shortages, and the inability to meet high demand during peak hours.
How is the solar energy contribution impacting the power deficit in Cuba?
While solar energy contributes to the grid during daylight hours, it does not alleviate the deficit at night when demand peaks and solar generation ceases.