A Cuban electrical sector worker carries out reparation work in a thermal power plant. Photo: X/@MMarreoCruz.
The process of restoring the electrical system in Cuba is making considerable progress at the national level.
According to the director general of Electricity of the Ministry of Energy and Mines, Lázaro Guerra, the electricity supply in the western zone, which suffered the worst of the blackouts, is already in the process of recovery. The Santa Cruz del Norte thermoelectric plant is in the start-up phase, and it is expected that the Mariel plant will soon begin to operate.
“We already have energy in Santa Cruz and we will soon have energy in Mariel to begin the start-up of this plant, which is very important in order to have the base generation in the system, to give it robustness and make it more stable,” explained a spokesperson for the energy sector.
Se avanza en las labores para restablecer lo antes posible el Sistema Eléctrico Nacional. Todo el reconocimiento a quienes, sin descanso, trabajan para superar esta situación. Agradecemos a nuestro pueblo por su confianza y apoyo en estos momentos difíciles. #UnidosXCuba pic.twitter.com/MsLf89Vi8K
— Manuel Marrero Cruz (@MMarreroCruz) October 19, 2024
In the capital and the Mayabeque area, the electrical service is being restored in a controlled manner. The central zone maintains a microsystem that was already working, and efforts are being made to reach the Nuevitas thermoelectric plant through a 110,000 volt line.
However, Lázaro Guerra stated that delays are being reported at the Felton and Renté thermoelectric plants due to technical problems, but they are in the process of being resolved. The authorities reported that they are looking for alternatives to reach these plants, considering the Moa thermoelectric plant as a viable option.
Guerra also stated that President Miguel Díaz-Canel visited the Office of the National Electrical Planning to personally supervise the restoration work. “We are going to continue working intensely, with the greatest possible calm, to be able to successfully complete the system restoration process in the shortest possible time,” said the official.
⚡️Desde la Unión Cuba-Petróleo se crea un puesto de mando para dar seguimiento permanente de las embarcaciones que se encuentran operando, principalmente las que manipulan el combustible🛢 para contribuir al restablecimiento del sistema electroenergético nacional. pic.twitter.com/ZVnIbZix0e
— CUPET (@Cubapetroleo1) October 19, 2024
Currently, it is estimated that around 370 MW are being served in the country, distributed in microsystems that operate in almost all provinces, with the exception of Cienfuegos, where the thermoelectric plant has been inoperative since the system went down.
Cuban authorities express hope of progressively increasing generation capacity with the entry into operation of more units, such as the unit one in Santa Cruz del Norte, Mariel, and the floating power plant. “We are going to continue increasing electrical output throughout the country as we restore the system from the point of view of the electrical networks and, of course, the introduction of a base generation for the system,” explained Guerra.
Although an exact time for full restoration of service was not provided, it was mentioned that on previous occasions, such as during Hurricane Irma, it took approximately 72 hours to recover the system. However, the current situation is different due to the low availability of power before the blackout, with only 900 MW available due to fuel issues.
Nevertheless, it was reported that the fuel situation has improved, with ships unloading in Mariel and Havana, and supplies arriving at floating power plants in various parts of Cuba. In addition, diesel fuel is being distributed, which will allow for increased generation capacity and less disruption.
(Telesur)
Translation: Orinoco Tribune
OT/BR/SC
