The Cuban regime must be holding its breath, hoping for a different outcome this time: the Antonio Guiteras thermoelectric plant, the largest in Cuba, began a cold start on Monday at 10:17 a.m. after receiving power from the national grid, with the aim of syncing with the National Electric System (SEN) by early evening.
Experts consulted by journalist José Miguel Solís indicated that, given it's a cold start, the connection to the SEN might occur later in the evening. However, the recent track record of the Matanzas plant leaves little room for optimism.
The Guiteras plant had been offline since July 26 due to failures in the economizer and the low-temperature air reheater, necessitating extensive welding work and three hydraulic tests to ensure the issues were resolved.
The Electrical Union, the Ministry of Energy and Mines, and various maintenance districts within the power plant company rallied their top technicians, aiming to keep the plant running through the winter season, according to the state journalist.
Electricity Crisis Worsens
This restart happens amidst a severe power crisis. Cuba experienced its sixth nationwide blackout of 2026 on Sunday night when the UNE confirmed a total disconnection at 10:43 p.m.
The combination of this situation and the Guiteras plant's history of failures has fueled widespread skepticism among the populace.
Comments on social media following the announcement of the restart echo the frustration built up over months of the plant's intermittent operations.
“How many minutes will it last?” asked José Enrique De Los Ríos. “Give it 72 hours, and it’s gone,” predicted Adolfo Rodríguez Rodríguez.
“Old is old, even if you patch it up. Without new parts, it will be the same trash,” wrote Yeins Mesa.
Other users highlighted the magnitude of daily suffering. “Here in Pueblo Nuevo, Matanzas, we haven’t had power for 50 hours,” reported Maria De La C Medina. “I’m going on 48 hours of blackout and counting,” added Jose Alberto Portela Aportela.
Clau Vane Matos was more straightforward: “That supplies power everywhere but Matanzas.”
“In the end, we don’t get out of one SEN failure to fall into another. Anyway, let’s hope this one lasts a bit longer,” summarized Yolanda Espino Galvan, capturing the sentiment of millions of Cubans each time a new attempt is made to restart the Matanzas plant.
Understanding Cuba's Power Struggles
Why is the Antonio Guiteras plant significant for Cuba?
The Antonio Guiteras plant is the largest thermoelectric facility in Cuba and plays a critical role in the country's power supply, making its operation essential to maintaining national electricity stability.
What challenges does the Guiteras plant face?
The plant has been plagued by mechanical failures, including issues with the economizer and air reheater, requiring extensive repairs and maintenance to ensure proper functioning.
How have power outages affected daily life in Cuba?
Frequent power outages have severely impacted daily life, causing extended periods without electricity, which disrupts routine activities and exacerbates public frustration.