World Power Plants

The Santa Cruz power plant, located in Cuba, serves as an oil-fired energy generation facility with a capacity of 300 MW. Operated by Unión Eléctrica, this plant is a significant component of the Cuban energy landscape, providing crucial electricity to support both residential and industrial sectors. Situated at coordinates 23.1592° N latitude and 81.9538° W longitude, the Santa Cruz plant plays an important role in enhancing the reliability of the local grid in a region where energy security is paramount. The facility employs oil combustion technology to generate power, which, while less environmentally friendly than renewable sources, remains a critical part of Cuba's energy mix amidst ongoing efforts to diversify and modernize its energy infrastructure. The operational significance of the Santa Cruz power plant is underscored by Cuba's energy policy, which seeks to balance energy needs with environmental considerations. As the country continues to navigate its energy challenges, the Santa Cruz plant remains a key player in ensuring a stable and consistent supply of electricity for its citizens.

Capacity
300 MW
Commissioning Year
1980

46 years old

Owner
Unión Eléctrica
Location
23.1592°, -81.9538°

Cuba, North America

Context & rankings
  • 7. largest of 14 plants in Cuba
  • #6,026 worldwide by installed capacity
  • #231 of 2,478 Oil plants worldwide
  • 7.9% of the installed capacity of Cuba
Age & fleet comparison

46 years in operation

Oil fleet average: 28.7 years

Operator portfolio

Unión Eléctrica operates 10 plants totalling 3,113 MW

Regional density

5 plants within 100 km, 1,691 MW combined

Nearest plant: Boca de Jaruco (7 km)

Location

Coordinates:: 23.159200, -81.953800
Open in Google Maps
Carbon Footprint650 g CO₂/kWh
Annual CO₂
597.9 Kt
920 GWh/year × 650 g/kWh
Cumulative CO₂
27.50 Mt
Over 46 years of operation
Past Retirement
2010
16 years past expected retirement
Annual emissions equivalent to
130.0K
cars per year
79.7K
homes per year
27.2M
trees to offset

Estimates based on Oil emission factor (650 g CO₂/kWh) and capacity factor (35%). Actual emissions may vary based on operating conditions, efficiency, and fuel quality.

Technical Details

Primary Fuel Type
Oil
Energy Source
Non-Renewable
Country
Cuba
Continent
North America
Data Source
Global Power Plant Database

CubaEnergy Profile

14
Total Plants
3.8 GW
Total Capacity
OilGasWindSolar
Top Fuels

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