The authorities of the Cienfuegos Electric Company confirmed on Friday that power outages in the province have been virtually widespread, as a result of the simultaneous maintenance of both units at the local thermoelectric plant “Carlos Manuel de Céspedes” and a severe fuel deficit affecting distributed generation.
During an appearance on the telecenter Perlavisión, sector executives explained that the lack of fuel has caused several distributed generation sites to go offline, which has resulted in high levels of deficit nationwide and, consequently, in massive impacts in the province.
"We represent approximately 4% to 5% of the national deficit", they stated, adding that this situation has forced them to maintain the so-called "maximum outages" in Cienfuegos for several days, which means leaving almost the entire territory without electricity, except for the circuits that supply hospitals, the thermoelectric plant, and other vital facilities.
According to reports, the province has faced deficits of up to 80 megawatts in recent days, a figure deemed "extreme," since the maximum load that can be switched off under normal conditions is 85 megawatts, including essential services. With a deficit of 80 megawatts, virtually all of Cienfuegos is left without electricity, except for a few exceptions.
"When we reach an 80 megawatt deficit, practically only the four circuits for the hospitals and the circuit supplying electricity to the thermoelectric plant remain in service, to ensure maintenance," they specified.
The serious situation has also impacted the circuits traditionally considered "non-interruptible", such as those supplying sugar mills and collection centers, which have had to be disconnected at certain critical times.
The authorities acknowledged that this situation prevents the regular rotation of electric service among the municipalities, one of the main complaints from the population, as it is not possible to alternate the availability of the service, constantly affecting large areas without the opportunity for partial recovery during the day.
Finally, the executives urged the population to reach out via the phone number 43 51 83 35 to address their concerns and ensure that their complaints are attended to.
Meanwhile, Cienfuegos is facing one of the most challenging energy scenarios in recent months, a reflection of the deep energy crisis the country is experiencing.
Frequently Asked Questions about the Energy Crisis in Cienfuegos
Why are there almost widespread blackouts occurring in Cienfuegos?
The power outages in Cienfuegos are due to the simultaneous maintenance of both units at the “Carlos Manuel de Céspedes” thermoelectric plant and a severe fuel deficit that affects distributed generation. This has resulted in a deficit of up to 80 megawatts, leaving almost the entire province without electricity, except for the circuits supplying vital facilities such as hospitals.
Why is it not possible to rotate the electrical circuits in Cienfuegos?
It is not possible to rotate the electric circuits in Cienfuegos due to the energy incapacity of the region to implement a schedule that allows for alternating power outages. The lack of sufficient generation capacity prevents regular rotations, resulting in prolonged and continuous outages.
What is the current situation of the "Carlos Manuel de Céspedes" thermoelectric plant?
The "Carlos Manuel de Céspedes" thermoelectric plant is undergoing intensive maintenance, which has left Cienfuegos without local generation. Synchronization of unit three is expected to occur in the first half of April, while unit four is scheduled for June. This maintenance is crucial for restoring its operational capacity and alleviating the energy crisis in the region.
How is the energy crisis affecting the population of Cienfuegos?
The population of Cienfuegos is facing prolonged blackouts with no possibility of alternating the electric service, which severely affects daily life. The lack of electricity impacts food preservation, meal preparation, and the operation of essential appliances. Furthermore, the inequality in the implementation of power cuts has led to discontent and demands for fairness in the distribution of the burden.
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