Energy and Mining authorities provided details on the status of thermoelectric plants, distributed generation, and alternatives using photovoltaic solar energy.
The situation of the Cuban electricity system (SEN), which has worsened in recent days due to the shutdown of several generating units, could begin to improve this weekend, according to authorities from the Ministry of Energy and Mines (MINEM) in a press conference for local media.
They also provided an update on the medium- and long-term plans to address the Caribbean nation's electricity situation.
The head of the sector, Vicente de la O Levy, emphasized that Unit 1 of the Lidio Ramón Pérez Thermoelectric Plant, known as Felton, should be incorporated into the SEN . It contributes more than 220 megawatts and constitutes the largest generating block in the eastern part of the archipelago.
After a planned 20-day maintenance plan, "everything indicates that the system will be ready for next weekend," the minister stated.
The executive added that this weekend, adjustments should be completed at Unit 5 of the Antonio Maceo thermoelectric plant (Renté) , which, located in the eastern province of Santiago de Cuba, contributes about 95 megawatts at its maximum generating capacity.
The blackouts were exacerbated by the lack of generation capacity following the shutdown of Felton 1 and a fault at the motor site of the Máximo Gómez thermoelectric plant in Mariel, which has since been resolved.
There was also a tripping of unit 5 at the 10 de Octubre power plant, located in Nuevitas , Camagüey, forcing the shutdown of most of the circuits in the country's capital. Block 5 of Renté also did not come online.
The official's meeting with the press took place one week after the fifth total disconnection of the National Electricity System (SEN) and amid a deficit exceeding 1,800 megawatts. Days before, the negative peak reached 2,000 megawatts, out of an average demand of 3,450 MW.
At the press conference with local media, Energy and Mining authorities highlighted the aging of generating units , "with maintenance postponed and a lack of the necessary financing for major block interventions."
Regarding the situation of distributed generation (generator sets), "it is not at its worst" with access to fuel. However, this system is suffering from a lack of lubricants (oils). "Coverage should improve in the coming days," the Minister assured.
Impacts of the blockade on the electrical system
The economic, financial, and commercial embargo imposed by the United States is the main cause of difficulties in accessing fuel for electricity generation and parts for maintenance.
According to the annual report submitted by the Cuban authorities pursuant to UN General Assembly Resolution 79/7, 12 days of the blockade are equivalent to the cost of maintaining the entire Cuban electricity system , approximately $250 million, excluding fuel and investment.
While the losses generated by 14 days of blockade , some 300 million dollars, are equivalent to the financing required to increase the participation of renewable energy sources in the country's energy matrix to 26% .
Adding to this complex situation, on August 6, one of the Turkish floating units (patanas) anchored in Havana Bay withdrew from the country for "commercial reasons" and "impossibility of paying its service contracts," according to an official statement from the Electric Union.
This outage resulted in a loss of 240 MW and, consequently, an increase in the number of daily hours affected by the electricity service.
Shortly after, the Suheyla Sultan boat, which was in the country as part of a 2019 agreement between the Cuban government and Turkey's Karadeniz Holding company, was disconnected .
The aforementioned floating plant was part of a group of eight distributed throughout the country, of which two remain, providing a combined output of around 70 megawatts.
Medium-term relief
The Cuban Minister of Energy and Mines has indicated that Unit 4 of the Carlos Manuel de Céspedes CTE, in the central east of the country, and Unit 2 of Santa Cruz del Norte, in the western region, should be operational in October, well after their planned summer implementation.
He also assured that the resources are guaranteed to ensure the full repair of the Antonio Guiteras Power Plant, the largest generating block in the country .
Maintenance periods are planned to coincide "with the time of year when the lowest electricity demand occurs."
Solar parks as an alternative
De la O Levy indicated that 656 MW of the 1,000 MW projected for 2025 in solar parks have currently been installed , with synchronizations and inaugurations of one or two sites almost every week.
In this regard, he specified that only two parks remain to be built, while the others are progressing according to the established schedule.
In parallel, 100 MW of energy storage has been contracted for every 1,000 MW of solar parks to regulate the frequency of the electrical system.
These batteries, explained De la O Levy, have already been manufactured and paid for, and are in the final engineering and factory inspection phase for shipment, with some resources already present in the country.
He noted that these batteries are essential for stabilizing Cuba's electrical system, as the older thermoelectric plants have lost their ability to regulate frequency. Forcing these machines to perform this task increases their wear and tear, he explained.
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In figures: Medium- and long-term solutions to Cuba's electricity situation
https://www.telesurtv.net/en-datos-soluciones-situacion-electrica-cuba/Energy and Mining authorities provided details on the status of thermoelectric plants, distributed generation, and alternatives using photovoltaic solar energy.
The situation of the Cuban electricity system (SEN), which has worsened in recent days due to the shutdown of several generating units, could begin to improve this weekend, according to authorities from the Ministry of Energy and Mines (MINEM) in a press conference for local media.
They also provided an update on the medium- and long-term plans to address the Caribbean nation's electricity situation.
The head of the sector, Vicente de la O Levy, emphasized that Unit 1 of the Lidio Ramón Pérez Thermoelectric Plant, known as Felton, should be incorporated into the SEN . It contributes more than 220 megawatts and constitutes the largest generating block in the eastern part of the archipelago.
After a planned 20-day maintenance plan, "everything indicates that the system will be ready for next weekend," the minister stated.
The executive added that this weekend, adjustments should be completed at Unit 5 of the Antonio Maceo thermoelectric plant (Renté) , which, located in the eastern province of Santiago de Cuba, contributes about 95 megawatts at its maximum generating capacity.
The blackouts were exacerbated by the lack of generation capacity following the shutdown of Felton 1 and a fault at the motor site of the Máximo Gómez thermoelectric plant in Mariel, which has since been resolved.
There was also a tripping of unit 5 at the 10 de Octubre power plant, located in Nuevitas , Camagüey, forcing the shutdown of most of the circuits in the country's capital. Block 5 of Renté also did not come online.
The official's meeting with the press took place one week after the fifth total disconnection of the National Electricity System (SEN) and amid a deficit exceeding 1,800 megawatts. Days before, the negative peak reached 2,000 megawatts, out of an average demand of 3,450 MW.
At the press conference with local media, Energy and Mining authorities highlighted the aging of generating units , "with maintenance postponed and a lack of the necessary financing for major block interventions."
Regarding the situation of distributed generation (generator sets), "it is not at its worst" with access to fuel. However, this system is suffering from a lack of lubricants (oils). "Coverage should improve in the coming days," the Minister assured.
Impacts of the blockade on the electrical system
The economic, financial, and commercial embargo imposed by the United States is the main cause of difficulties in accessing fuel for electricity generation and parts for maintenance.
According to the annual report submitted by the Cuban authorities pursuant to UN General Assembly Resolution 79/7, 12 days of the blockade are equivalent to the cost of maintaining the entire Cuban electricity system , approximately $250 million, excluding fuel and investment.
While the losses generated by 14 days of blockade , some 300 million dollars, are equivalent to the financing required to increase the participation of renewable energy sources in the country's energy matrix to 26% .
Adding to this complex situation, on August 6, one of the Turkish floating units (patanas) anchored in Havana Bay withdrew from the country for "commercial reasons" and "impossibility of paying its service contracts," according to an official statement from the Electric Union.
This outage resulted in a loss of 240 MW and, consequently, an increase in the number of daily hours affected by the electricity service.
Shortly after, the Suheyla Sultan boat, which was in the country as part of a 2019 agreement between the Cuban government and Turkey's Karadeniz Holding company, was disconnected .
The aforementioned floating plant was part of a group of eight distributed throughout the country, of which two remain, providing a combined output of around 70 megawatts.
Medium-term relief
The Cuban Minister of Energy and Mines has indicated that Unit 4 of the Carlos Manuel de Céspedes CTE, in the central east of the country, and Unit 2 of Santa Cruz del Norte, in the western region, should be operational in October, well after their planned summer implementation.
He also assured that the resources are guaranteed to ensure the full repair of the Antonio Guiteras Power Plant, the largest generating block in the country .
Maintenance periods are planned to coincide "with the time of year when the lowest electricity demand occurs."
Solar parks as an alternative
De la O Levy indicated that 656 MW of the 1,000 MW projected for 2025 in solar parks have currently been installed , with synchronizations and inaugurations of one or two sites almost every week.
In this regard, he specified that only two parks remain to be built, while the others are progressing according to the established schedule.
In parallel, 100 MW of energy storage has been contracted for every 1,000 MW of solar parks to regulate the frequency of the electrical system.
These batteries, explained De la O Levy, have already been manufactured and paid for, and are in the final engineering and factory inspection phase for shipment, with some resources already present in the country.
He noted that these batteries are essential for stabilizing Cuba's electrical system, as the older thermoelectric plants have lost their ability to regulate frequency. Forcing these machines to perform this task increases their wear and tear, he explained.