Havana. — The Ministry of Energy and Mines of Cuba warned about the increase in electricity demand in the national territory, which until this Friday exceeds the estimated figure for 2024, Prensa Latina reported.
The increase has been significant, on the recent Mother’s Day, demand was 20% higher than that of the same day in 2023, according to Alfredo López, director of the Electrical Union (UNE).
In an appearance on “From the Presidency,” a YouTube program hosted by Cuban President Miguel Díaz-Canel, López indicated that demand for 2024 was expected to be 3.5% higher than the previous year. However, we have already surpassed that figure, attributing it to the combination of high temperatures and other factors.
The distribution of electrical energy nationwide is affected by fuel shortages, unexpected failures and the maintenance of several thermoelectric plants. López pointed out that the current situation is different from that of 2018, when Cuba had a reserve of 500 megawatts and a stable fuel supply.
Since 2018, no major maintenance has been performed on the generating units. In Cuba, there are 16 generating units, of which Felton II has a constant breakdown and 13 of the remaining 15 are out of the maintenance system. Furthermore, distributed generation is not 100% either.
In recent months, maintenance has been carried out on some units, but it is still not enough, and there are also problems with the electricity transmission networks. López warned that demand in July and August could be higher than 3.5%, and not necessarily similar to that of Mother’s Day.
It is expected to have an average of 1,200 megawatts in thermal generation and more than 300 in energy during July and August. However, power outages cannot be avoided in those months.
López also mentioned two large solar energy projects, one of 1,006 megawatts that will be executed between this year and 2025, and another of one thousand megawatts that will be installed within seven years. Both projects will need the support of thermoelectric plants, which will need to receive maintenance in the coming years.
Despite the current serious situation, López is confident that the trend will be to improve in the medium term thanks to repairs in several units. He called for consuming only the necessary electricity. According to him, savings in the private sector and, above all, in state companies and institutions, is a valuable resource to alleviate demand in Cuba.
