The repair of block 4 of the Cienfuegos thermoelectric plantwhich broke down a few days ago when it was in the starting process, “will take considerable time.”
This was confirmed by the Cuban Minister of Energy and Mines, Vicente de la O Levy, during the recent session of the National Assembly.
In his speech before the deputies, the official explained that “after a successful start and measurements, a large failure during a second attempt forced a new intervention” in that Cienfuegos unit, reviewed the site Cubadebate.
According to De la O Levy, “the cause” of the breakdown is known and “the resources, parts and capabilities are available for the repair.” However, he warned that “this process will take considerable time,” although without specifying how much longer the plant will be offline.
What is certain is that its possible reincorporation would not occur until well into 2026, which represents a new and serious setback for the Cuban authorities, who were counting on this block to improve the deficient generation capacity on the island.
The Cienfuegos 4 breakdown occurred after more than a year outside the National Electric System (SEN) due to long maintenance. These tasks were not without difficulties and their completion was postponed on more than one occasion.
Finally, when everything indicated that it could return to the SEN, the new breakage ruined the work carried out and aggravated the uncertainty regarding electricity generation on the island.
Energy crisis: breakdowns in Havana and Cienfuegos further aggravate the blackouts in Cuba
Sunday in the dark
Block 4 of Cienfuegos is one of the six thermal units not working this Sunday due to breakdowns or maintenance. This, after the synchronization yesterday afternoon of Renté 3.
For this Sunday, the Electrical Union (UNE) foresees the synchronization of Santa Cruz 3, which had already begun its startup process after undergoing maintenance.
However, even with these additions, blackouts will practically not decrease on the island.
Once again, the lack of fuel and lubricants will subtract more than 1000 MW from electricity production. The effects for this reason extend to more than 90 distributed generation plants and the Moa Fuel Plant. None of these plants should be incorporated into the day.
In addition, thermal limitations will amount to 546 MW.
In this way, after a peak of 2013 MW of impact this Saturday, at dawn today there were already 950 MW affected, and at noon they should increase to 1250.
By nightfall that figure will grow again to 1980 MW, but it could be even higher if the entry of Santa Cruz 3 does not occur, another breakage occurs, or demand exceeds the 3450 MW predicted by the UNE.
