In the wake of a massive blackout that rocked eastern Cuba, the government acknowledged on Monday the challenging state of the nation's electrical system. Officials announced that the Antonio Guiteras thermoelectric plant in Matanzas will need to be shut down for maintenance in the coming months, foreshadowing more severe outages.
The information was disseminated by official journalist Ana Teresa Badía, who took to Facebook to share details from a press conference led by Lázaro Guerra Hernández, General Director of Electricity for the Ministry of Energy and Mines (MINEM), and Alfredo López Valdés, Director General of the Electric Union of Cuba (UNE). The officials conceded -- or perhaps rationalized -- that the primary causes of the crisis are a lack of generation capacity, inadequate funding, and outdated technology.
Continuous instability at the Guiteras plant was the main cause of blackouts in July, while Unit 5 of Renté failed to join the grid as planned. Additionally, disruptions in the supply of liquefied gas spiked electricity usage for food preparation. Although thermal and distributed generation improved in August, the removal of a floating power plant and fuel supply issues once again decreased energy availability.
Currently, only two floating power plants remain operational in the country, highlighting the gravity of the energy crisis. These revelations further expose the regime's inability -- or perhaps its deceptive intent -- to fulfill promises of reducing blackouts during the summer months.
Regarding renewable energy, UNE stated that they met their targets, with 29 photovoltaic solar parks operational and another set to join soon. However, they acknowledged that solar generation is intermittent and cannot replace the deteriorating thermal base.
"The problem with fuel availability was particularly acute in July, and in August, the floating power plant was removed. There is a logistical effort, but the situation is tough," the executives admitted. "MINEM workers are sensitive and you can be sure we are working, and will continue to work, transparently," López asserted.
The Guiteras plant, the largest thermoelectric facility in the country, has suffered from years of operation without necessary maintenance. "The Antonio Guiteras thermoelectric plant in Matanzas requires maintenance in the coming months, and it will be done as quickly as possible," the regime's spokeswoman emphasized. The government itself has admitted that it has long been unable to provide the necessary care to thermal generation, now forcing shutdowns that will leave Cubans exposed to even longer blackouts.