Cuba’s energy crisis continues as the Electric Union reports significant deficits in electricity generation, prompting ongoing blackouts. Demand consistently outstrips supply, with key power units offline for repairs. A recent update on the Lidio Ramón Pérez Thermoelectric Power Plant provides a minor relief. The situation remains dire for millions of Cubans affected by daily power interruptions.
The energy crisis in Cuba continues to plague everyday life as blackouts persist with no relief in sight. The Electric Union (UNE) disclosed that on Friday, the country’s power capacity was 1,610 megawatts (MW), while the demand surged to 2,000 MW. This created a substantial deficit of 456 MW early in the morning, and conditions are anticipated to worsen during peak hours.
During peak usage times, the estimate is that capacity will reach only about 1,745 MW, against a staggering demand of 3,100 MW. This scenario translates to a terrifying deficit of 1,355 MW. The repercussions from this supply shortfall are evidently severe, with the possibility of a maximum impact affecting up to 1,425 MW, as indicated by UNE’s report.
Moreover, the situation is further complicated by the fact that 8 MW remain offline in Artemisa due to damages inflicted by Hurricane Rafael. This adds to the ongoing problem of extensive blackouts, which are starting to hit residents and the economy hard. Just yesterday, these generating deficits prompted power interruptions from early morning until the following day, with the highest recorded impact reaching 1,466 MW.
The overall generation circumstances are in decline largely as multiple key units are offline for repairs. Specifically, issues with Unit 5 at the Mariel power plant and Units 3 and 6 at the Renté power plant are major contributors to the crisis, alongside maintenance work at the Santa Cruz plant and others located in Cienfuegos and Nuevitas.
Distributed generation is also struggling, with 30 plants currently inactive due to fuel shortages, which results in a total of 334 MW out of commission. While there is hope that the entry of the CDE Moa will bring an additional 135 MW during peak hours, the outlook remains grim as the recurring breakdowns hinder any real progress.
Daily life for millions of Cubans has transformed drastically with these blackouts, rife with uncertainty and no foreseeable end to the crisis. But there is a flicker of good news, as UNE reported the return of the Lidio Ramón Pérez Thermoelectric Power Plant back online this morning, contributing 220 MW to the national grid.
As the Electric Union noted on their social media, “ETE ‘Lidio Ramón Pérez’ Felton at 220 MW contributing once again to the National Electric System,” this might provide a temporary relief but certainly does not address the broader situation.
Inquiring minds want to know: just how long will this energy crisis last? The general consensus is that it is critical, with power outages plaguing daily routines due to insufficient capacities at power facilities overall. The issues stem from breakdowns, frequent maintenance needs, and a concerning lack of fuel supplies to sustain operations which have hit hardest in the wake of disruptive natural events.
The negative toll on daily life is stark: Blackouts have disrupted not only daily activities but have caused significant economic losses due to spoiled food and damaged appliances, creating a palpable sense of unrest among the population. The public’s disapproval of how the government has handled the crisis is growing, particularly as measures such as Decree 110, which regulates outages, have fallen short, failing to make a dent in the problem’s long-term aspects.
In summary, the ongoing energy crisis in Cuba has only deepened, with continuous blackouts affecting millions. While the recent return of the Lidio Ramón Pérez Thermoelectric Power Plant offers a glimmer of hope, it is still far from resolving the critical deficits driven by infrastructure issues, maintenance delays, and fuel shortages. The Cuban population is caught in an uneasy limbo as frustration mounts regarding the government’s responses to the persistent energy challenges they face.
Original Source: en.cibercuba.com
