The Antonio Guiteras thermoelectric plant, Cuba's largest, is projected to reconnect with the National Electric System (SEN) by this coming Saturday. This estimation was shared by the plant's technical deputy director, engineer Elmer García Romero, in statements gathered by journalist José Miguel Solís and circulated on social media.
García Romero highlighted that the critical path of the ongoing maintenance involves completing around thirty welds, conducting metallographic verifications, and performing pneumatic and hydraulic tests on the high-temperature reheater. This is a challenging area where work continues non-stop around the clock.
"If everything proceeds as planned, we should wrap up the work by Friday afternoon and commence pressure testing, which might take up to six hours. Following that, the startup process will begin," stated the technical deputy director.
Simultaneous Repairs on Multiple Fronts
In addition to welding tasks, the team is engaged in several areas simultaneously: electrical, automation, and valve work, ensuring meticulous attention to all components involved.
The current malfunction in the high-temperature reheater has six identified defects, necessitating pipe cutting, replacement, welding, and subsequent metallographic and hydraulic testing. Plant director Román Pérez Castañeda had previously indicated that the startup might occur on Friday if testing was successful; however, the technical deputy's updated estimate shifts this expectation to Saturday.
Recurring Failures Highlight Structural Issues
This marks the second breakdown within a matter of days. The Guiteras plant briefly synchronized with the SEN on September 27 with approximately 150 MW, but returned offline hours later due to reheater failure. This series of issues escalated following the year's eighth national blackout on September 18 and 19, which caused the SEN to collapse from Matanzas to Guantánamo, inducing mechanical stress within the plant's boiler.
The details of the Guiteras breakdown expose the structural fragility of a facility that has experienced at least 17 unplanned outages in 2026 alone and has not undergone a major overhaul since 2010. Technicians and managers have repeatedly warned that a definitive solution would require a 180-day shutdown to replace nearly 500 tubes and complete between 1,000 and 1,200 welds, a task that authorities acknowledge has not been feasible.
Persistent Blackouts Amid Energy Crisis
As the plant remains offline, Cuba enters October grappling with ongoing blackouts: on Thursday, Havana reported 267 MW affected and 100 distribution circuits disrupted, with additional impacts in other provinces due to generation shortfalls.
The Cuban public's reaction to successive announcements of imminent restarts has been one of skepticism and mockery on social media, reflecting widespread frustration with an energy crisis that lacks a comprehensive solution.
Understanding the Challenges of Cuba's Power Sector
Why is the Antonio Guiteras plant significant for Cuba's energy system?
The Antonio Guiteras plant is Cuba's largest thermoelectric facility and plays a crucial role in the country's energy system. It contributes significantly to the National Electric System, which is vital for meeting the island's electricity demand.
What caused the recent breakdowns at the Guiteras plant?
The recent breakdowns were primarily due to defects in the high-temperature reheater, which required extensive maintenance and testing. These issues were exacerbated by mechanical stresses following national blackouts.
What is needed for a lasting solution to the plant's issues?
A lasting solution would necessitate a comprehensive shutdown lasting around 180 days to replace about 500 tubes and complete extensive welding work, an undertaking that has yet to be realized due to resource constraints.