14ymedio, Havana, 29 May 2024 — Blackouts in Cuba reached a new record on Tuesday when the power deficit exceeded 1,400 megawatts (MW) during peak demand hours. The desperation due to the lack of electricity at night caused dozens of residents of Ciudad Nuclear, in Cienfuegos, to take to the streets to protest. Videos posted by Martì Noticias on Wednesday showed the crowd banging on pots and pans and shouting slogans, and the police arriving.
Tuesday’s report from the Electric Union of Cuba (UNE) predicted the worst – an availability of 1,980 MW and a maximum demand of 3,350 MW; that is, a deficit of 1,370 MW, which would cause an “impact” of 1,440 MW at this time – but Wednesday’s forecast barely improves the situation. For a similar maximum demand (3,360 MW) the availability improves slightly (2,319 MW), so the peak hour deficit will be 1,041 MW with an “impact” of 1,111 MW. This means more than a third of the Island will experience blackouts today.
According to the UNE’s statement, the slight improvement is due to the commissioning of generators – until now out of service due to lack of fuel – as well as the entrance of 3 power plant units: unit 6 of the Mariel thermoelectric power plant (CTE) into the national energy service (SEN), even though it is damaged; unit 4 of Energas Vara
