Havana/A technological failure in the boiler caused the Antonio Guiteras Thermoelectric Power Plant (CTE), in Matanzas, to be disconnected this Saturday from the National Electric System (SEN), as the director of the National Load Dispatch of the Electrical Union explained to the official media. Félix Estrada Rodríguez.
The manager explained that the failure caused a deficit in the generation capacity during midday, which exceeded 750 megawatts (MW) and at night an impact is expected in the order of 1,400 MW, higher than what was estimated this morning, when The UNE calculated that at that time there would be 1,170 MW missing to satisfy demand.
Estrada Rodríguez added that the brigades of the National Power Plant Maintenance Company (EMCE), together with the technicians from the Matanzas plant itself, will undertake the repair of the fault in the thermal machine.
Despite the drop in temperatures this January, which reduces consumption, the departure of the SEN thermoelectric plant has already caused power outages in several Havana municipalities
Despite the drop in temperatures this January, which reduces consumption, the departure of the SEN thermoelectric plant has already caused power outages in several Havana municipalities, confirmed 14ymedio. In other provinces the impact is being greater, especially in the towns of Matanzas, Villa Clara, Sancti Spíritus and Santiago de Cuba, according to reports on social networks.
Guiteras, the largest electricity generation plant in the country, with a capacity to produce 330 MW, is also a constant source of displeasure for Cubans. Any failure in its operation fuels fears that the blackouts will be prolonged and that the SEN will rush to a collapselike the three that occurred, in just two months, at the end of 2024.
For decades, the Guiteras facilities have lacked the necessary maintenance required by thermoelectric plants that process nationally extracted oil, with a high sulfur content and very corrosive to metals. And, in the midst of the energy crisis, the CTE constantly leaves the SEN due to multiple breakdowns.
The energy shortage, which results in the lack of water pumping systems, air conditioners or turned off fans, problems with cooking both in homes and in bakeries, among other things, has led hundreds of Cubans to the streets in different areas. of the country in recent years.
