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The Antonio Guiteras Thermoelectric Plant managed to synchronize with the National Electric System (SEN) this Sunday at 4:48 p.m., after going offline earlier in the morning due to a control feed failure at a nearby substation.
The official journalist Lázaro Manuel Alonso reported on Facebook that “the CTE Antonio Guiteras synchronized at 4:48 p.m. with the National Electric System.”
“Gradually increasing power,” emphasized Alonso, in a report that, although positive, provides little relief to the population, which in recent days has faced a generation deficit exceeding 1,600 MW, causing lengthy blackouts in several provinces.
"We are currently increasing our load. This is a very unstable and complex period. We are generating 50 megawatts and hope to reach 250, which is what we used to generate before the exit of the SEN," explained Rubén Campos Olmos, the general director of the CTE Antonio Guiteras, as reported by the newspaper Girón on their Facebook profile.
A failure in the power supply of the control at a nearby substation was the cause of the CTE Antonio Guiteras, the largest electricity generating unit in Cuba, disconnecting from the national electricity system this Sunday.
The journalist José Miguel Solís reported on Facebook that the unit is in the startup process and that its synchronization with the SEN could occur in the next few hours.
According to figures shared by Solís, once operational, the plant would provide 250 MW, which would help reduce the acute deficit the country is facing this Sunday.
Regarding the "new" failure of the CTE, engineer Rubén Campos Olmo, director of the entity, explained to CubaDebate that the opening of the main switch at the substation caused the outage. He added that "no technological or electrical protection was triggered from the Thermoelectric plant due to this situation. Initially, the technicians detected a fault in the control voltage at the substation. If this is confirmed, it may have been the cause of the switch opening."
The news portal highlighted that a damaged battery was also recorded in a high-pressure valve system, an issue that was resolved in a very short time.
Furthermore, it was noted that a partial maintenance is scheduled for the month of May to thoroughly inspect the recent breakdowns, clean the boiler, and adjust auxiliary equipment.
However, for this Sunday, a deficit exceeding 1,600 MW was forecast, keeping the electric situation in Cuba tense, where fears of a new massive blackout in the country are rising.
The electrical system was already compromised due to breakdowns at the plants in Renté, Felton, Diez de Octubre, and Santa Cruz del Norte, as well as maintenance work in Santa Cruz, Cienfuegos, and Felton.
This is compounded by thermal limitations with 189 MW out of service and an impact of 466 MW due to a lack of fuel.
In its report this Sunday, the Electric Union of Cuba announced that during the previous day, the most significant impact occurred in the central-eastern region, with a national peak of 1,621 MW out of service, adding to several days of impacts exceeding 1,500 MW.
Frequently Asked Questions about the Antonio Guiteras Thermal Power Plant and the Cuban Electric System
What caused the last disconnection of the CTE Antonio Guiteras?
The latest disconnection of the CTE Antonio Guiteras was caused by a failure in the power supply of the control at a nearby substation. This led to the plant being disconnected from the National Electric System (SEN). Additionally, issues such as a damaged battery in a high-pressure valve system were identified, which were resolved in a short period of time.
How does the departure of the CTE Antonio Guiteras affect the electricity supply in Cuba?
The shutdown of the CTE Antonio Guiteras significantly worsens the energy crisis in Cuba, increasing the frequency and duration of blackouts. The plant is the largest electricity generation unit in the country, and its disconnection exacerbates the deficit in electricity generation, as it contributes a significant amount of megawatts to the national system.
What are the most common causes of failures at the Antonio Guiteras CTE?
The most common causes of failures at the CTE Antonio Guiteras include technical issues such as oil command failures, gas leaks, and malfunctions in the control valves. These problems are a result of insufficient maintenance and wear on the infrastructure, which has led the plant to multiple shutdowns in recent months.
What measures is the Cuban government taking to improve the energy situation?
The Cuban government has scheduled partial maintenance and thorough inspections of the thermoelectric plants, including the Antonio Guiteras thermoelectric power station, to improve the energy situation. In addition, new photovoltaic parks are being installed as part of a strategy to increase the participation of renewable energies in the country's energy mix. However, authorities have acknowledged that blackouts will continue until 2025 due to the current limitations of the system.
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