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After the Antonio Guiteras de Matanzas Thermoelectric Plant, one of the largest on the island, stopped its operations due to technical problems, Cuba reached the highest number of the current energy crisis so far this year, reporting a reduction in its capacity electricity generation of at least 50%.
Although Cuba has suffered from the energy crisis for a long time, it is the first time that the energy deficit exceeds 50% of the maximum capacity of the supply generation, according to the state company Unión Eléctrica (UNE).
UNE estimates that the generation capacity at the busiest time on Wednesday, August 31, was 2,064 megawatts (MW) for a maximum demand of 3,100 MW, which implies a deficit of 1,036 MW.
The record rate occurred just one day after the Antonio Guiteras thermoelectric plant, located in Matanzas in the west of the country, stopped its operation due to technical problems.
“It had been in operation for several days with technical parameters outside the permissible values,” UNE explained in a statement.
Blackouts and social unrest
However, power outages are not new to the island. Operators must constantly stop their functions due to scheduled maintenance, fuel shortages and, as occurred in August, even due to natural disasters.
On August 6, 2022, lightning struck a large oil storage facility in Matanzas. The plant had eight giant oil tanks that were used to feed the electricity generating plants.
At least half of the facility was destroyed and in addition to the human losses that mourned the country, power outages began to increase due to the shortage of electricity.
In July, blackouts were recorded on 29 of the 31 days of the month, according to data from the state company and the EFE news agency. Power outages sometimes leave citizens without power for up to 12 hours.
Blackouts directly affect the economy and the daily lives of Cubans. In the last days of August there have been several protests for this reason and this was one of the reasons behind the massive anti-government demonstrations on July 11, 2021, the largest in decades.
Possible solutions to the energy crisis
The government of President Miguel Díaz-Canel is working at full speed in a negotiation with the Turkish company, Karpowership, one of the world’s largest operators of floating power plants, with the aim of doubling the megawatts produced on the island.
Cuba has a minimum demand of 3,000 MW and currently produces between 2,000 MW and 2,500 MW.
Although the Turkish company already has five ships operating in Cuba, the sources of the negotiation who were interviewed by the Reuters news agency and who asked not to be identified due to the confidentiality of the deal, expect Cuba to present a form to certify that the payments will be made. leasing of floating plants.
“Cuba is short of cash and behind on payments with many suppliers and joint venture partners,” said one of the sources who spoke to Reuters.
The Caribbean country relies heavily on foreign oil to produce energy. Venezuela, its main supplier, has considerably reduced its shipments in recent months.
Díaz-Canel plans that by 2030 the country will reduce dependence on external fuel and can supply up to 37% of renewable energy.
With EFE, AP and local media
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