LIMA, Peru – With six thermoelectric units out of service and the lack of fuel facing the Island, blackouts continue to aggravate the country’s situation this Sunday, with long hours of consecutive interruption, even in the capital.
However, the Cuban Electrical Union (UNE) has been giving reports in recent days that indicate a reduction in the impact, a fact that is surprising, especially when the recent tensions between the United States government and the Cuban regime pointed to a worsening of the crisis.
According to the state company, last Saturday the service was affected 24 hours a day and the maximum impact due to a deficit in generation capacity was 1,536 megawatts (MW) at 6:20 p.m.
The situation for this Sunday is not encouraging either, according to the conservative part offered by UNE. The National Electric System (SEN) once again faces a critical generation deficit that will cause prolonged and simultaneous outages in more than half of the country.
According to official information, for the hours of greatest demand—afternoon and night—an availability of only 1,464 MW is expected, compared to an estimated demand of 2,980 MW, which implies a deficit of 1,516 MW. Consequently, the UNE estimates an impact of up to 1,546 MW, which is equivalent to simultaneous blackouts in at least 52% of the national territory.
The report also indicates that six thermoelectric units They remain out of service due to breakdowns and maintenance. The damaged plants are Unit 5 of the Mariel Thermoelectric Power Plant (CTE), Unit 2 of the Santa Cruz CTE, Unit 2 of the Felton CTE and Unit 6 of the Antonio Maceo CTE.
In turn, Unit 5 of the Nuevitas CTE and Unit 4 of the Carlos Manuel de Céspedes CTE in Cienfuegos are stopped for repairs.
Added to this is the paralysis of dozens of distributed generation plants due to lack of fuel, as well as the unavailability of electric motors due to lack of diesel and lubricants. Limitations in thermal generation put an end to 491 MW out of service on February 8.
