AREQUIPA, Peru – Two new thermoelectric plants that went out of service on Thursday further aggravate the existing energy crisis in Cuba, prompting the regime’s authorities to take “severe measures,” including “continuous power outages of up to nine hours, compared to three hours with electricity.”
This was reported by the state Caribbean Channelwhile in Camagüey the independent journalist José Luis Tan Estrada reported On Wednesday night, there was a blackout of up to 15 consecutive hours in that province.
On the island, the following units are out of service due to breakdowns: Unit 8 of the Mariel Thermoelectric Plant; Unit 1 of Santa Cruz del Norte; Unit 4 of Cienfuegos; Units 5 and 6 of Nuevitas; Unit 2 of Felton and Units 5 and 6 of Renté. That is, two more than the previous day and eight in total.
According to the official part According to the Cuban Electric Union (UNE), “the lack of fuel for distributed generation means that today’s session will be similar to Wednesday’s.”
For the nighttime peak hour of September 19, the entity estimates an availability of 1,960 megawatts (MW) and a maximum demand of 3,250 MW, for a deficit of 1,290 MW, so if the expected conditions continue, an impact of 1,360 MW is forecast during this time.
The Cuban government acknowledged on Wednesday that it failed to stabilize the electrical system during the months of July and August, as it had promised, while the island continues to suffer long daily blackouts.
However, during the inauguration of the III Renewable Energy Fair In Havana, Prime Minister Manuel Marrero said that despite not achieving the desired stability, “major damage was avoided” and there was progress in the “maintenance” and “recovery” of thermoelectric plants. Progress that is not perceived by Cubans who face blackouts lasting several hours.
For its part, Vicente De la O Levy, The Minister of Energy and Mines, tried to calm the growing indignation of the population over 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 said that the main problem at the moment is the fuel shortage, which not only affects electricity generation but also the rest of the economy.
