The National Electric System (SEN) reports a critical situation for May 7, with issues persisting since the previous day. According to the official statement from the Electric Union of Cuba (UNE), service was interrupted for 24 hours on Tuesday and continued to be affected early this morning.
The maximum impact from the previous day was 1,708 megawatts (MW) at 8:50 PM, coinciding with the peak in demand, and was higher than planned due to the delayed entry of unit 6 at the CTE Nuevitas. As of 7:00 AM this Wednesday, the availability of the SEN was 1,700 MW against a demand of 2,800 MW, resulting in a deficit capacity impact of 1,163 MW. By midday, an impact of 1,350 MW is anticipated.
Unit 3 of the CTE Cienfuegos and Unit 2 of the CTE Felton are experiencing outages. Currently under maintenance are Unit 2 of the CTE Santa Cruz, the unit of the CTE Guiteras, Unit 4 of the CTE Cienfuegos, and Unit 5 of the CTE Renté. The limitations in thermal generation amount to 363 MW. Additionally, 75 distributed generation plants are out of service due to a lack of fuel, affecting 545 MW. For the peak hours, the recovery of 80 MW is anticipated from diesel plants that are currently inactive due to fuel shortages.
In this scenario, a capacity of 1,780 MW is anticipated, with a maximum demand of 3,400 MW during the night hours, which would result in a deficit of 1,620 MW and an impact of up to 1,690 MW.
Meanwhile, the Electric Company of Havana announced a new blackout schedule for this Wednesday. Block 2 will be without service from 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m., block 1 from 11:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., and block 3 from 4:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. Starting at 7:00 p.m., block 5 will be affected, followed by block 4 from 8:00 p.m. Service will be gradually restored between 11:00 p.m. and 12:00 a.m., according to the order of impact.
This pattern of blackouts continues the trend observed the previous day, when maintenance work at the Antonio Guiteras thermoelectric plant and a malfunction in unit 3 of the Carlos Manuel de Céspedes forced a reorganization of the power cuts. The Electric Company of Havana published a new schedule of power outages for May 6, with changes that extended the blackouts and reduced recovery times in the capital.
In the midst of this situation, on Tuesday, the Las Guásimas solar park was also inaugurated in the municipality of Contramaestre, Santiago de Cuba, with an installed capacity of 21.8 MW. The facility is the first in that province connected to the national electric grid. According to authorities, it could generate an estimated annual savings of 4.9 million dollars. The official statement highlighted the inauguration of the park as part of efforts to incorporate renewable sources into the system.
Frequently Asked Questions about the Energy Crisis in Cuba
What is the current deficit of the National Electroenergy System (SEN) in Cuba?
The current deficit of the SEN in Cuba is approximately 1,620 MW, which has led to widespread blackouts throughout the country. This critical situation is caused by a combination of breakdowns, maintenance of generating units, and a shortage of fuel.
What measures are being taken to address the energy crisis in Cuba?
To tackle the energy crisis, solar parks have been inaugurated, such as the Las Guásimas solar park, and rotating blackout schedules are being announced in Havana. However, these measures have not been sufficient to address the existing energy deficit.
What impact do power outages have on the daily lives of Cubans?
Power outages in Cuba severely impact daily life, interrupting essential activities such as cooking, using appliances, and preserving food. They also affect the operation of basic services and family finances.
What are the main causes of the electric generation deficit in Cuba?
The main causes of the electricity generation deficit in Cuba include breakdowns in thermoelectric units, scheduled maintenance, and fuel shortages. These situations have led to a low availability of generation and, consequently, prolonged blackouts across the country.
How does the fuel shortage affect electricity generation in Cuba?
The fuel shortage severely impacts electricity generation in Cuba, leaving numerous distributed generation plants out of service. This contributes to a significant capacity deficit, further complicating the country's energy crisis.
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