MÉRIDA, Mexico -. Cubans report blackouts of up to 11 hours throughout the island on a Sunday that the authorities have described as a “tense day” due to the fuel deficit and the breakdowns in thermoelectric plants.
From places as diverse as Buena Vista, Cienfuegos; Guanabacoa, Havana; Candlemas, Artemis; San Luis, Santiago de Cuba; Guanes, Pinar del Río comes the testimony of Cubans fed up with a paralyzing reality.
“I think the answers would be shorter if they asked if we had a current. I don’t think anyone would answer. The reality of Cubans who are still imprisoned in this prison without bars is sad,” said Any Acosta ironically.
For some, the lack of electrical fluid not only hinders daily life, but is also a health impediment.
“At 10 in the morning in my Dragones neighborhood, Central Havana, I went to the Manduley polyclinic to change the catheters that were blocked and there is no power. “I have to wait for them to put it in. I am in terrible pain and holding on like a horse,” denounced Orlando Lajara González.
The Cuban Juan Miguel Vermudez also took it ironically: “Uff! “What tremendous BLACKOUTS we are suffering here in Gibara!” he assured.
“Then something fantastic happens, it is as if the sea breezes conspire with those who execute the blackouts, the current leaving at night, the sea currents also leave along with it,” he added.
Others point the finger directly at the ruling elite for the situation.
“The only place where there is no blackout is where the president and the country’s senior officials live,” said a user before the question raised by Cubanet on their social networks.
“Tensive day,” predict the authorities
The Electrical Union of Cuba (UNE) predicted for this Sunday another “tense day” of blackouts with a nighttime deficit of 1,278 MW.
In the peak hours of this Sunday, an availability of 2092 MW and a maximum demand of 3300 MW, for a deficit of 1208 MW, it is read in the daily report of the UNE.
The blackouts This Sunday is preceded by a Saturday where “the service was affected due to a deficit in generation capacity 24 hours a day and has continued throughout the early hours of today.”
On Saturday, the maximum impact due to a deficit in generation capacity during peak hours rose to 1,325 MW around 9 p.m., with 9 MW also affected by breakdowns in the distribution network due to bad weather conditions.
On Sunday morning (07:00 hours), the availability of the National Electric System (SEN) was 1980 MW, the demand 2770 MW, for a deficit of 829 MW due to capacity and 7 MW due to breakdowns in the distribution networks in the western central provinces.
At the average time, a deficit impact of 980 MW is estimated, the report adds.
This Sunday, unit 2 of the CTE Felton and unit 5 of the CTE Renté are out of the SEN due to a breakdown; while unit 2 of the CTE Santa Cruz is under maintenance. The limitations on thermal generation are 546 MW.
Likewise, 47 distributed generation plants, as well as the Patana de Santiago de Cuba, the Patana de Regla and engines in the Patana de Melones, are out of service due to lack of fuel, for a total of 556 MW, of which 267 MW are in groups. distributed and 289 MW in Las Patanas.
For peak hours, the UNE estimates that unit 1 of Energas Varadero will enter the SEN with 30 MW, the completion of unit 4 of this same plant with 15 MW and 67 MW of distributed generation engines that are out for fuel.
Energy crisis: the regime is justified
A few weeks ago, the Cuban regime recognized that failed to stabilize the electrical system during the months of July and Augustwhile the Island continues to suffer long daily blackouts.
However, during the inauguration of the III Renewable Energy Fair in Havana, the Prime Minister, Manuel Marrero, said that, despite not achieving the desired stability, they managed to “avoid major effects” and there was progress in the “maintenance ” and the “recovery” of thermoelectric plants.
Progress that Cubans who face blackouts of up to 14 hours do not perceive.
For his part, Vicente De la O Levy, Minister of Energy and Mines, tried to soften the growing indignation of the population regarding the energy situation.
He spoke of “financial sacrifices” to guarantee the arrival of fuel to the generating units in the coming days and promised that before the end of the year the first 400 megawatts from new solar parks will be installed.
De la O Levy pointed out that the main problem at the moment is the fuel deficit, which not only affects electricity generation but also the rest of the economy.
