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The Antonio Guiteras Thermoelectric Power Plant (CTE), the largest and most efficient generating unit in Cuba, was unexpectedly disconnected this Saturday at 8:14 AM due to an "unidentified cause," according to the plant's general director, Rubén Campos Olmo.
The unexpected shutdown of the thermoelectric plant located in Matanzas worsens the country's energy crisis, which was already forecasted to face a deficit of 1,595 megawatts (MW) during peak consumption hours, according to a post on social media by John Javier Vila Acosta, a journalist from the Cuban News Agency (ACN).
Before its disconnection, the CTE Antonio Guiteras was consistently providing 250 MW to the National Electric System (SEN), helping to mitigate the frequent power outages affecting the population and productive sectors.
The plant authorities have initiated an investigation to determine the causes of the incident. Campos Olmo explained that, if no significant damage is detected in the plant's infrastructure, the startup process could begin in the coming hours. However, no specific timeline has been provided for the reactivation of electricity generation.
The CTE Antonio Guiteras has experienced several outages in recent months due to technical issues and breakdowns caused by prolonged operation and the deterioration of its facilities. The energy crisis in Cuba has been exacerbated by a lack of fuel and the obsolescence of the power generation fleet, which has led to frequent blackouts throughout the country.
The abrupt shutdown of the Guiteras generation facility negatively impacts the stability of the National Electric System (SEN), which is already operating under severe limitations. Updates on the situation and the possible reintegration of the thermoelectric plant into the system are expected in the coming hours.
Recent history of disconnections from the CTE Antonio Guiteras
The following is a timeline of the disconnections of the Antonio Guiteras Thermal Power Plant (CTE) over the past six months:
- August 28, 2024: The Antonio Guiteras CTE was disconnected from the National Electric System (SEN) due to a problem with the "oil control". Initially, a repair time of 24 hours was estimated, but the work extended until September 1, when the plant was able to synchronize again with the SEN.
- October 18, 2024: An unexpected shutdown of the Guiteras caused a total disconnection from the SEN, resulting in a nationwide blackout. The Electric Union worked on restoring the service, but the incident highlighted the vulnerability of the Cuban electrical system.
- November 19, 2024: The plant was disconnected for a planned maintenance period of four days, intended to carry out "urgent work on the boiler." This shutdown increased power outages to nearly total, with estimated impacts of 1,594 MW during peak demand.
- November 21, 2024: After synchronizing and reaching a limited power of 32 MW, the Guiteras was disconnected from the SEN again for technical adjustments. It was estimated that its operation would stabilize in approximately three hours.
- January 18, 2025: The plant left the SEN at 9:59 a.m. due to a malfunction in the control valves of its boiler, after 45 days of continuous operation. It was estimated that Guiteras would remain out of the system for up to four days to carry out the necessary repairs.
- January 22, 2025: The Antonio Guiteras CTE managed to synchronize with the SEN again at 7:44 a.m., after four days of repair work. It was anticipated that the plant would contribute a power output close to 270 MW once the operating parameters were stabilized.
This series of disconnections and maintenance reflects the technical and infrastructure challenges faced by the CTE Antonio Guiteras, which are critical for the stability of the Cuban electric system.
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