Cuba will begin 2023 without blackouts scheduled, according to what was reported this Sunday by the Island’s Electrical Union (UNE).
After months of continuous and prolonged power cuts throughout the country, as a result of breakages in the long-lived generating plants and other difficulties, the situation of the national electrical system has improved in recent weeks, due to the maintenance actions carried out, the entry into operation of new engines and the drop in temperatures, especially in western Cuba.
Thanks to this, in the most recent days there have been no official blackouts due to a deficit in generation capacity in Cuba, a situation that should be repeated this January 1, according to UNE forecasts.
The entity forecasts an availability of 3,122 MW and a maximum demand of 2,500 MW for the night peak hours, which should allow the system to operate with a reserve of 622 MW.
This forecast is made even taking into account that units 6 and 7 of the Mariel thermoelectric plant (CTE), units 4 and 6 of the Nuevitas CTE, unit 2 of the Felton CTE and unit 2 are out of service due to failure. 3 of CTE Renté, while unit 4 of this plant is stopped for maintenance.
In addition, the UNE reports that the limitations on thermal generation (351 MW) remain, while in distributed generation 807 MW are unavailable due to failure and 419.5 MW are under maintenance.
To support the night peak, the entry of 342 MW in diesel engines is planned.
To face the problems of the island’s electrical system, the authorities drew up an action plan to reduce the generation capacity deficit before the end of 2022, and promote a gradual improvement throughout the coming year.
However, the situation continues to be complicated due to the age of most of the generating plants, which causes continuous breakdowns, and the lack of financing to acquire replacement parts and carry out maintenance with the necessary magnitude and systematicity.
