The electricity generation in Cuba This Wednesday he experienced his worst day since the authorities publicly reported his condition daily.
After registering in the early morning new partial disconnection that affected several provinces in the western region, the Electrical System could be linked after noon. However, the high generation deficit kept much of the country in the dark.
In statements to GranmaLázaro Guerra Hernández, general director of Electricity of the Ministry of Energy and Mines (Minem), recognized that the situation in the country was “critical” due, he said, “to a severe deficit in generation, caused mainly by the lack of fuel that keeps more than 1,000 MW out of service.”
Added to this was the departure of Felton unit 1, one of the main units on the island, “due to contamination in the chemical regime in the boiler.” as reported by the Electrical Union (UNE). That plant had already gone offline after the partial shutdown and had resynchronized in the morning.
Throughout the day and night, other blocks that had gone out of service due to the disconnection were also connected, such as unit 3 in Cienfuegos, 1 in Santa Cruz and 6 in Mariel. However, the departure of Felton 1 represents a loss of about 200 MW.
Regarding it, Guerra Hernández told Granma that “their stoppage will extend for around 36 hours to resolve the reported breakdown.”
Another record maximum impact
In this critical scenario, the island suffered a new negative record. According to the UNE, at 7:00 PM the availability was only 1076 MW, around a third of the demand (3194 MW).
Meanwhile, the impact amounted to 2,141 MW, a figure hitherto unpublished in official records. That number even increased to 2152 MW at 7:10 PM.
The previous negative mark It had occurred just two days earlier, in the midst of another spike in blackouts. Then the UNE reported 2,105 MW of damage, which meant that more than 60% of the country did not have power at that time simultaneously.
That percentage was also surpassed on Wednesday night.
Already at dawn today availability had recovered slightly to reach 1,250 MW, while the impact was 1,112 MW. according to the UNE. The forecast for midday is 1200 MW.
For the night the deficit will once again be very high (1830 MW), although it could be higher if the generation does not reach the expected estimate (1440 MW). For this to be fulfilled, the UNE is waiting for the connection of Felton 1 and also of Mariel 8, which had already begun its startup process.
Other plants, such as Mariel 5, Renté 5, Santa Cruz 2 and Cienfuegos 4 will continue to be out due to breakdowns or maintenance, while the effects due to lack of fuel and lubricants will once again exceed 1000 MW and will not be replaced throughout the day.
