Cuba faces a new peak of blackouts this Sunday with a deficit of 1 MW.

The Electric Union (UNE-MINEM) reported this Sunday that the National Electricity System (SEN) remains under critical pressure, with an estimated deficit of 1302 MW  during nighttime rush hour, which could leave thousands of Cubans across the country without service. The power outages, which lasted 24 hours on Thursday, continued today, with impacts beginning early this morning.

Current situation at the beginning of the day

A las 7: 00 am, the availability of the SEN was 1960 MW, in response to a demand for 2126 MW, resulting in 226 MW of insufficient generation and localized outages. For the afternoon schedule (medium demand), an impact of 870 MW, worsening towards the night peak.

Main causes of the crisis

1. Limitations in Thermal Power Plants:
   • CTE Antonio Guiteras: Operating at only 120 MW due to a problem with the boiler.
   • Breakdowns: Unit 3 of the CTE Santa Cruz and Unit 2 of the CTE Felton.
   • Scheduled maintenance: Unit 2 (Santa Cruz), Units 3 and 4 (Cienfuegos) and Unit 5 (Renté).
   • Total Thermal Limitations: 492 MW.
2. Fuel Shortage in Distributed Generation:
   • 56 inactive power plants, with 350 MW out of the system due to a shortage of diesel and gasoil.

Peak Hour Forecast (18:30 PM – 21:30 PM)

La UNE projects a maximum availability of 1898 MW In front of one expected demand of 3200 MW, which would generate a deficit of 1302 MWTo partially mitigate the impact, they will be incorporated 2 engines from the Melones mobile plant, contributing 35 MW. However, it is estimated that 1372 MW affected, equivalent to massive power outages across much of the national territory.

Measures and context

Although crews are working to restore damaged units, the combination of technical failures, pending maintenance, and fuel shortages keeps the SEN in a fragile situation. The Guiteras CTE, key to reducing blackouts, continues to operate far below capacity, while the input from Felton and other plants remains insufficient.

Impact on the population

The prolonged power outages affect everything from domestic electricity to essential services such as hospitals and workplaces. Citizens report damage to household appliances and difficulties preserving food amid the seasonally high temperatures.

The institution reiterated its call to the rationalization of consumption and assured that it is prioritizing the stabilization of thermal units and fuel management. However, it warned that if operating conditions do not improve, rotating outages will continue to be inevitable in the short term.

With official information from the UNE-MINEM.