Nine Thermal Units Out of Service Keeping Cuba Under Blackouts

The Cuban Electric Union (UNE) reported this Tuesday that the situation of the National Electro-energetic System (SEN) remains critical. Nine units of the country’s main thermal power plants are out of service, which guarantees the continuity of prolonged blackouts affecting millions of Cubans.

A System on the Brink of Collapse

According to the official report, breakdowns and scheduled maintenance have left the system with a generation capacity deficit exceeding 1000 MW during peak demand hours. This figure represents almost one-third of the country’s total demand, translating into power cuts of up to 15 hours in several provinces.

The units out of service belong to the plants in Mariel, Santa Cruz del Norte, Nuevitas, Felton, and Santiago de Cuba. A lack of fuel and the obsolete state of the infrastructure are the main causes of this crisis, which seems to have no end in the short term.

Impact on Population and Economy

Blackouts not only affect domestic life, making food preservation and rest difficult, but also paralyze a large part of economic activity and basic services. In Havana, although cuts are usually less severe than in the interior, significant interruptions have been reported in the last 24 hours.

Experts point out that the reliance on old technologies and the instability of imported oil supplies keep the SEN in a state of extreme vulnerability.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

How many thermal units are out of service today?

Currently, there are nine generating units stopped due to breakdowns or scheduled maintenance in the main power plants of the country.

What is the current electricity generation deficit?

A maximum impact exceeding 1000 MW is estimated during peak hours, which represents a large part of the national demand.

Which provinces are most affected by the blackouts?

While the deficit is national, provinces in the center and east of the country typically suffer the most prolonged cuts, often exceeding 12 hours a day.

Is there an estimated date for the recovery of the system?

Authorities have not provided a specific date, mentioning that recovery depends on the return to service of units under maintenance and the arrival of fuel.

Sources: CiberCuba, National Electric Union of Cuba