Felton Power Plant Suffers Another Breakdown, Worsening Cuba's Blackout Crisis

The Felton thermoelectric power plant, officially known as "Lidio Ramón Pérez," has broken down again. This unit in Holguín was only online for about two and a half hours before it had to be taken out of service.

This latest incident adds to the severe energy crisis gripping Cuba. The country is already dealing with massive blackouts, a record generation deficit, and a critical shortage of fuel needed to keep the lights on.

📄 What Happened

The breakdown occurred on Friday afternoon. The official reason given was a "high level in the low-pressure heater." This is a key component in the plant's system.

The unit had just been synchronized to the National Electric System earlier that morning. Its return had offered a glimmer of hope for some relief from the constant power outages affecting most of the island.

📄 Where and When

The problem happened at the Felton thermoelectric plant in Holguín. The specific issue with the low-pressure heater occurred on Friday, May 15, 2025, around 1:13 PM.

The unit was only operational from approximately 10:42 AM to 1:13 PM on the same day before the fault was detected.

📄 Why It Matters

A high level in the low-pressure heater can indicate serious operational problems. This component is vital for the plant's efficiency.

If this part fails or is flooded with water instead of steam, it can cause significant damage to critical equipment. This further reduces the already limited power generation capacity in Cuba.

The situation is dire because another major plant, the "Antonio Guiteras" thermoelectric plant, is also offline due to technical issues. The national electricity deficit has exceeded 2,000 megawatts for several consecutive days.

📄 What the Parties Say

The Ministry of Energy and Mines has acknowledged the severity of the fuel shortage. Minister Vicente de la O Levy stated that Cuba has no reserves of fuel oil or diesel available to support electricity generation.

This official admission highlights the extreme difficulty in maintaining consistent power supply. Residents are growing increasingly frustrated, leading to protests and cacerolazos in Havana.

📄 What Comes Next

With Felton back offline, the prospects for stabilizing Cuba's electricity service in the short term are even slimmer. The constant breakdowns underscore the fragility of the country's thermoelectric infrastructure.

The government will likely focus on repairs for the Felton plant. However, the lack of fuel and the aging equipment mean that widespread blackouts are expected to continue. Citizens will need to stay prepared for further power interruptions.