The arrival this Wednesday in Havana of the gigantic freighter OK, a deep-draft ship flying the flag of Liberia, could signal the imminent departure of the Turkish floating power plant Suheyla Sultan, one of the last two units of its kind still operating in Cuba.
According to the independent media 14ymedio, the vessel arrived to transport the barge out of the country, amidst an energy crisis that has worsened over the months.
A colossal ship in the face of crisis
It was just after 9:00 a.m. when the harbor pilot set out to guide the OK, whose silhouette was already visible from the Malecón.
Hours later, the freighter passed in front of the Havana refinery and positioned itself near the Regla area, where the Suheyla Sultan is anchored.
The vessel had departed from Turkey on April 10 and stopped in Sint Eustatius, a Dutch Caribbean island, before making a technical stop in the Dominican Republic, according to the maritime tracking platform Vesselfinder.
According to specialist Jorge Piñón from the University of Texas -quoted by 14ymedio- the OK is a vessel specifically designed to transport large-tonnage structures such as floating power plants.
The exit of the Suheyla Sultan and its impact on the SEN
The potential departure of the Suheyla Sultan, a unit that contributes 240 megawatts (MW) to the National Electric System (SEN), would represent a significant blow to the already collapsed Cuban energy grid.
This power plant, recognizable by its 12 chimneys and constant plume of black smoke, has been a source of "energy relief" for the capital for many years.
The shutdown of this power plant would also occur just before the summer, the peak energy demand period of the year.
Rising blackouts in Cuba
The Electric Union of Cuba reported this Wednesday of a generation deficit of 1,495 MW, a figure that results in long and frequent power outages across the country.
Additionally, on May 28, the Electric Company of Havana (EELH) announced that it would begin implementing electricity cuts during the early morning hours as an emergency measure to address the ongoing generation deficit affecting the National Electric System.
The company announced that the service will be interrupted in the capital for up to one hour during the early morning, in the circuits that were not affected during regular daytime and nighttime outages.
Reasons Behind the Possible Withdrawal of the Turkish Trawler
The Cuban government has publicly acknowledged the "risk" of losing the barges due to "difficulties in honoring its monetary commitments" with the Turkish company Karpowership, the owner of these floating units.
This is compounded by the interest of other countries, such as Ecuador, which is looking to contract the services of the Turkish company and could offer more favorable financial terms.
Although there is no official confirmation regarding the withdrawal of the second floating power station still in operation - the Erol Bey, which provides 63 MW - the Minister of Energy and Mines, Vicente de la O Levy, had already indicated that the barges would be withdrawn "gradually."
From eight to just two
At its peak, Cuba had eight Turkish barges, which together generated approximately 770 MW, covering nearly a quarter of the country's electricity demand.
However, the combination of financial problems, difficulties in fuel supply, and deterioration of the energy infrastructure led to the withdrawal or shutdown of most.
In December 2024, only two operational units remained in the bay of Havana, located in the areas of Melones and Regla, with a combined capacity of 257 MW.
Another blow for the Cubans
The possible departure of the Suheyla Sultan is another critical chapter in the prolonged energy crisis affecting the island.
If it materializes, not only would the available generation be drastically reduced, but a fundamental backup source to mitigate the effects of blackouts would also be lost.
Meanwhile, Cubans are watching the situation with concern.
From the Malecón, some fishermen witnessed the arrival of the cargo ship, unaware of the symbolic - and real - weight of its presence: the prelude to a new phase of blackouts and energy scarcity in a country mired in a prolonged crisis.
Frequently Asked Questions about the Energy Crisis in Cuba and Floating Power Plants
Why is the floating power plant Suheyla Sultan withdrawing from Cuba?
The possible withdrawal of the floating power plant Suheyla Sultan is due to the Cuban government facing "difficulties in meeting its financial commitments" to the Turkish company Karpowership, the owner of the plant. This has led to a risk of losing the barges that are crucial for electricity supply on the island.
What would be the impact of the withdrawal of the Suheyla Sultan on the National Electric System of Cuba?
The departure of the floating power plant Suheyla Sultan, which contributes 240 MW to the National Electric System (SEN), would be a significant blow to the Cuban energy grid, as an important source of electricity generation would be lost right before summer, the period of highest energy demand of the year.
What is the current situation regarding blackouts in Cuba?
Cuba is facing prolonged blackouts due to a power generation deficit exceeding 1,500 MW. This deficit results in frequent interruptions of electrical service throughout the country, severely impacting the daily lives of Cubans.
What measures is Cuba taking to address the energy crisis?
The Cuban government has attempted to partially incorporate thermoelectric units and has implemented power cuts during the early morning as an emergency measure. However, these actions have proven insufficient to resolve the energy crisis, which continues to impact the population.
Filed under: