The Electric Union of Cuba (UNE) predicted for this Sunday a day with less deficit of generating capacity compared to previous days, after the incorporation of the Antonio Guiteras Thermoelectric Power Plant (CTE), the largest of its kind in the country.
The generating plant killings entered the National Electric System (SEN) again after several days of shutdown due to a breakdown, during which time were made over 250 corrective actions prior to startup.
For this morning, a maximum impact of 350 MW was expected in the country, while for the night peak hours a deficit of 536 MW is expected, less than the 670 MW of the previous day, the report indicates. With this, at least officially, the blackouts should be less this Sunday throughout the Island.
For peak hours, the CTE Guiteras must complete its operation with a capacity of 130 MW, in addition to the use of 188 MW in diesel engines, specifies the information also published in the national media.
This Saturday, according to the UNE, they also synchronized to the SEN unit No. 2 of the CTE of Santa Cruz with its 65 MW and unit No. 5 of the CTE Rente, of Santiago de Cuba, which should progressively reach 75 MW. .
However, this Sunday, units 5, 6 and 7 of the CTE Mariel, the CTE Otto Parellada unit, the CTE Nuevitas unit 4 and the CTE Felton unit 2 remained out of service due to breakdowns, while the Unit 3 of the CTE Rente is still undergoing maintenance, as well as limitations in thermal generation (457 MW).
The report adds that this Saturday the service was affected due to a 24-hour generation capacity deficit and that at 2:37 am the service was restored throughout the SEN due to a capacity deficit, although it was later affected once again from 6:31 a.m.
Cuba has been going through a complex electro-energy situation for months, marked by continuous breakdowns and outages due to maintenance of generating units, as well as problems with access to fuel.
These problems translate into long blackouts, which motivate social discontent and have made the issue one of the government’s priorities. The Cuban authorities have outlined several strategies for their confrontation —the most recent with a view to reducing power cuts before the end of the year—, without so far being able to alleviate the crisis.
