The Antonio Guiteras Thermoelectric Plant, the largest electricity generation facility in Cuba, has announced a 48-hour shutdown for a "cooling process" before technicians can examine, identify, and repair the existing malfunction. This announcement was made on the plant's official social media page on Saturday.
The news quickly sparked a flood of sarcastic and frustrated comments from Cuban citizens who questioned whether the plant was ever operational enough to need cooling in the first place.
"When did it ever get hot?" quipped one user. Another commenter was more blunt: "It's the plant that works the least and takes the longest to cool down. Stop fooling us, the people don't believe you anymore."
Another individual pointed out a deeper issue: "I don't know how workers even want to fix things, knowing it's pointless. The plant doesn't need a quick fix; it needs comprehensive maintenance. Everything else is a waste, it can't take anymore."
The Guiteras plant exited the National Electric System (SEN) on Friday at 6:58 a.m., just four days after being reconnected on June 29. This marks its 17th shutdown this year and the fifth consecutive failure due to issues with the boiler's economizer, the most worn-out component of the facility.
Román Pérez Castañeda, the plant's general manager, stated that a complete replacement of the economizer is not feasible at this time: "It's not that we lack the necessary pipes or the ability to configure them, but it's an intervention that would take several days, and right now, every 200 megawatts count."
The immediate plan is to resume inspection of the boiler by Sunday morning, with repairs expected to take up to six days starting from 6:00 a.m. on Friday.
Chronic Structural Deterioration
The plant's structural decay is the root of the widespread cynicism among Cubans. The economizer has been in continuous operation for 38 years in a highly corrosive environment, with more than 500 damaged tubes and between 1,000 and 1,200 welding seams needing attention.
Experts estimate that a thorough intervention would require a shutdown of at least 180 days—something authorities have repeatedly postponed. The facility has not received comprehensive maintenance since 2010.
Broader Energy Crisis Reflected Online
The public's reaction on Facebook also underscored a broader reading of the energy crisis. "The issue isn't just the infamous thermoelectric plant. It's the other nine that are offline for various reasons. Guiteras could go under maintenance if the other generating units weren't also out of operation," another user wrote.
One more summed up the state of the electrical system with a grim metaphor: "Neurological death and the SEN in massive heart attack, and the people's suffering is growing unchecked."
The latest malfunction has exacerbated the national electrical deficit to 2,206 MW, just two megawatts shy of the historical record of 2,208 MW set on June 25.
As of July 4, 11 thermoelectric units are out of service in Cuba, and 106 distributed generation plants are halted due to a lack of fuel.
Power outages last between twenty and thirty hours daily in Havana and up to 87 consecutive hours in Matanzas, where the Guiteras plant is located.
Minister of Energy and Mines, Vicente de la O Levy, promised comprehensive maintenance of the plant by the end of 2025, postponed it last December citing a "temporary issue," and announced it again in April 2026 without setting a firm date.
Meanwhile, Cubans continue to wait, encapsulating their despair in a familiar refrain: "It spends more time cooling down than it does online."
Key Issues with Cuba's Energy Infrastructure
Why is the Antonio Guiteras plant facing frequent shutdowns?
The plant is experiencing repeated shutdowns due to its aging infrastructure, particularly the economizer, which has been in continuous operation for 38 years in a corrosive environment.
What are the consequences of the plant's shutdowns on Cuba's energy supply?
The shutdowns have worsened Cuba's national electrical deficit, leading to extended power outages lasting up to 87 consecutive hours in some regions.
What is the government's plan for addressing the plant's issues?
The government has promised comprehensive maintenance by the end of 2025, which was postponed from earlier commitments, but no concrete date has been set yet.