Cuba continues to be engulfed in a severe energy crisis. This Tuesday, the National Electric System (SEN) reported a generation deficit exceeding 1,500 megawatts (MW), keeping the population on edge with prolonged power outages.
According to a recent official statement from the Electric Union (UNE), "yesterday the service was disrupted for 24 hours and remained affected throughout the early hours of today."
The maximum impact was 1,535 MW at 8:10 PM, which did not coincide with peak demand, highlighting the structural fragility of the system.
Lower generation, high impacts
At 7:00 a.m. on May 13, the energy availability was 1,740 MW against a demand of 2,900 MW, resulting in an immediate shortfall of 1,187 MW due to capacity deficit. By noon, authorities estimate that the interruptions will reach 1,150 MW.
The energy production from the 11 new solar photovoltaic parks, announced by the regime as part of its commitment to renewable sources, barely contributed 849 megawatt-hours (MWh) to the system, a figure insufficient to mitigate the decline of thermal sources and distributed generation.
A collapsed system
Currently, Units 3 of the Rente CTE and 2 of the Felton CTE are out of service due to breakdowns. Additionally, four other key units remain under maintenance: Unit 2 in Santa Cruz, Unit 4 in Cienfuegos, Unit 5 in Nuevitas, and Unit 5 in Renté, which has limited thermal capacity by 293 MW.
In addition, the shutdown of 70 distributed generation plants due to lack of fuel has been recorded, contributing 433 MW. Additionally, 150 MW from the Melones plant and 43 MW from the Regla plant are out of service, as well as an additional 226 MW affected by a lack of oil in engines.
In total, 852 MW are unavailable due to material shortages, a situation that reveals the regime's inability to maintain a minimally functional energy system.
Blackouts in Havana
As part of the disruption schedule for this Tuesday in the capital, the Electric Company of Havana announced block outages:
- Block #3: from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.
- Block #4: from 11:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.
- Block #5: from 3:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.
- Block #1: from 7:00 p.m. to 11:00 p.m.
- Block #2: from 8:00 p.m. to 12:00 a.m.
Despite the promise to incorporate 50 MW from diesel plants and 150 MW with the introduction of engines in the Melones corridor, UNE estimates that during peak hours, the availability will be 1,940 MW against a demand of 3,320 MW, resulting in a deficit of 1,380 MW and an estimated impact of 1,450 MW.
A structural crisis without a solution
The Cuban electrical system is facing a structural crisis exacerbated by years of insufficient investment, inadequate maintenance, and dependence on imported diesel, all amid an inefficient state administration.
While official propaganda insists on progress with renewable energy, the data shows a gradual collapse of the National Electric System, with no real solutions in sight.
The population, for its part, continues to endure endless days of heat, blackouts, and shortages, immersed in the uncertainty of a system that is failing beyond just the lights.
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