Cuba will experience another day of blackouts on May 2, due to an energy deficit exceeding 1,400 MW during peak electricity demand hours.
In its daily report, the Electric Company informed that on Thursday the service was disrupted for 24 hours and remained affected throughout the early hours of Friday.
The highest impact on this Thursday, May 1st, was 1,337 MW at 8:00 PM. They justified that the demand for electricity exceeded previous forecasts; moreover, unit 3 of the CTE Renté went offline from the National Electric System (SEN).
For this Friday, a capacity of 2,014 MW is anticipated and a maximum demand of 3,350 MW, resulting in a deficit of 1,336 MW. Therefore, if the projected conditions remain, they forecast an impact of 1,406 MW during peak hours.
The situation of the SEN remains critical. Unit 3 of the Renté Thermoelectric Plant and Unit 2 of the Felton Thermoelectric Plant are out of service. Three others are under maintenance: Unit 2 of the Santa Cruz Thermoelectric Plant, Unit 4 of the Cienfuegos Thermoelectric Plant, and Unit 5 of the Renté Thermoelectric Plant.
Additionally, the limitations in thermal generation are 518 MW, and 79 distributed generation plants with a capacity of 552 MW are out of service due to lack of fuel, including 117 MW at the Mariel plant, 149 MW at the Moa plant, and 54 MW at the Regla Patana, resulting in a total of 872 MW affected by the fuel shortage.
After more than three months out of service, unit 3 of the Carlos Manuel de Céspedes thermoelectric plant in Cienfuegos was reconnected to the National Electric System (SEN) at 7:35 p.m. this Thursday, but this does not alleviate the energy deficit in any way.
Cubans, who endure up to 20 hours without power, claim that the regime is hiding the fact that it lacks fuel to ensure service. Others assert that the energy crisis has turned into a means of state control.
The crisis is severely impacting the Cuban population, who are facing prolonged power outages of up to 20 hours a day. These outages interrupt essential services such as water and gas supply, and also hinder communications and access to information.
The Cuban government has promised to repair thermoelectric units and other plants to increase generation capacity. However, these promises have not yielded significant results, and the lack of fuel and maintenance remains a critical issue.
Frequently Asked Questions about the Energy Crisis in Cuba
What is the current energy deficit in Cuba?
The current energy deficit in Cuba exceeds 1,400 MW, leading to prolonged and ongoing blackouts throughout the country. This situation seriously impacts the daily lives of citizens, who face interruptions in essential services.
What are the main causes of blackouts in Cuba?
The blackouts in Cuba are primarily caused by breakdowns in thermoelectric units, a lack of fuel, and poor maintenance. Several units are out of service, which limits electricity generation capacity and worsens the energy deficit.
How do blackouts affect the Cuban population?
Blackouts severely impact the daily lives of Cubans, interrupting essential services such as water and gas supply, and making communications difficult. People face blackouts that can last up to 20 hours a day, leading to frustration and social discontent.
What is the Cuban government doing to address the energy crisis?
The Cuban government has promised to repair the thermoelectric units and increase generation capacity. However, these promises have not yielded significant results due to a lack of fuel and maintenance, leaving the crisis unresolved in the short term.
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