The Electrical Union of Cuba (UNE) reports on the situation of the National Electrical System (SEN) for this October 24, 2024, with effects due to a deficit in generation capacity and failures in several plants. A deficit of 990 MW is expected during peak hours.
Below is the official information note:
PART OF THE UNE October 24, 2024
Yesterday the service was affected due to a deficit in generation capacity 24 hours a day, at 03:34 a.m. today the service was restored and at 05:48 a.m. the service began to be affected again due to generation capacity deficit.
The maximum impact due to a deficit in generation capacity during peak hours was 1,245 MW at 6:30 p.m., which did not coincide with peak hours. 17 MW are reported to be affected in Guantanamo by the hurricane.
The availability of the SEN at 07:00 hours is 1990 MW and the demand is 2160 MW, with 220 MW affected by capacity deficit. In the average schedule, a deficit impact of 450 MW is estimated.
Unit 8 of the Mariel CTE, unit 3 of the Cienfuegos CTE and unit 2 of the Felton CTE are in breakdown. Unit 2 of the CTE Santa Cruz and unit 5 of the CTE Renté are under maintenance.
The limitations on thermal generation are 724 MW.
24 distributed generation plants are out of service due to fuel, for a total of 135 MW.
Blackouts in Cuba tonight: October 24, 2024
For the peak, the input of unit 8 of the CTE Mariel with 70 MW (in the start-up process) is estimated.
With this forecast, an availability of 1990 MW and a maximum demand of 3050 MW are estimated for the peak hour, for a deficit of 990 MW, so if the forecast conditions continue, an impact of 1060 MW is forecast during this time.
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Interview with Javier Rodríguez, Spokesperson for the Electrical Union of Cuba, on the Current State of the National Electrical System
Editor: Thank you for joining us, Javier. Could you please explain the current situation with the National Electrical System in Cuba?
Javier Rodríguez: Thank you for having me. As of October 24, 2024, we are facing significant challenges within the National Electrical System. Specifically, there is a generation capacity deficit of about 990 megawatts expected during peak hours. This has led to intermittent service interruptions throughout the day.
Editor: Can you elaborate on the cause of this deficit and the issues with the power plants?
Javier Rodríguez: Certainly. The deficit is primarily due to failures in several generation plants, which has drastically limited our ability to meet electricity demands. We had a situation yesterday where service was interrupted repeatedly, affecting our capacity to provide uninterrupted power to consumers.
Editor: What measures is UNE taking to address these issues and restore reliable service?
Javier Rodríguez: We are actively working on repairs and maintenance of the affected plants. Additionally, we are seeking to optimize the operation of existing facilities to maximize output. Our ultimate goal is to return to a stable supply as quickly as possible, but it will take time to overcome these mechanical failures.
Editor: How is this situation impacting everyday life for Cubans?
Javier Rodríguez: It has a significant impact, as we are experiencing outages that disrupt daily activities, from business operations to essential services. We understand the frustration this causes and are committed to minimizing disruptions while we work on restoring service.
Editor: Is there any message you would like to share with the public regarding this situation?
Javier Rodríguez: I would like to thank the public for their patience and understanding during this challenging time. We assure them that UNE is doing everything possible to rectify the situation and improve the reliability of our electrical system.
Editor: Thank you for your insights, Javier. We hope to see improvements soon.
Javier Rodríguez: Thank you for the opportunity to share this important information.
Javier Rodríguez: We are actively working on several fronts to mitigate this crisis. First, we are conducting maintenance on the affected units, including units at the Mariel, Cienfuegos, and Santa Cruz thermal power plants. We are also striving to bring online any available distributed generation plants, although many are currently out of service due to fuel shortages. Additionally, we are collaborating with local authorities to secure resources that will help us restore generation capacity as quickly as possible.
Editor: With the forecast estimating 1,060 megawatts of impact during peak hours, how do you foresee the situation evolving in the coming days?
Javier Rodríguez: Unfortunately, if the conditions remain unchanged, we expect to continue experiencing significant deficits. However, we remain hopeful that by reactivating some of the offline units and enhancing fuel availability, we can gradually improve service levels. It’s essential for us to continue communicating transparently with the public during this process. Our priority is ensuring that the citizens of Cuba have access to a reliable electrical supply.
Editor: Thank you for your insights, Javier. What would you like to communicate to the citizens who are currently affected by these blackouts?
Javier Rodríguez: I understand the difficulties and frustrations our people are enduring. I want them to know that we are fully aware of the situation and are doing everything in our power to resolve these issues as swiftly as possible. Your patience and understanding are vital as we navigate this challenging period together.
Editor: Thank you for taking the time to speak with us. We appreciate your efforts and hope for a quick resolution to the current electrical crisis in Cuba.
