Cuba Gradually Reactivates Electricity Generation
Electricity generating islands in Cuba, 2024. X/ @alex_studio1
December 4, 2024 Hour: 11:34 am
‘A significant percentage of service recovery will be achieved today,’ Energy Minister De La O Levy said.
On Wednesday, Cuban Energy Minister Vicente de la O Levy announced the gradual restoration of power generation following the disconnection of the National Electric System (SEN), which happened at 2:00 AM local time due to a failure at the Antonio Guiteras thermoelectric plant.
RELATED:
Venezuela and Cuba Strengthen Bilateral Cooperation with Agreements in the Agri-food Sector
Since that moment, the recovery of the service began according to a protocol for gradually reactivating thermoelectric plants (CTE), power generators, and floating power barges.
“We estimate that a significant percentage of service recovery will be achieved today. We will continue working tomorrow,” the Cuban minister said, noting that the Guiteras, Felton, and Carlos Manuel de Cespedes thermoelectric plants are the backbone of the SEN.
De la O Levy also mentioned that several power generation hubs are currently operational in the central and eastern provinces of the country. At present, the SEN is also being supplied by Energas, a system that generates electricity using petroleum gas. This would allow the barges in Havana to be energized, which would provide the energy needed to restart the Mariel thermoelectric plant.
The Cuban minister also explained that the restoration of electrical service could advance more quickly than expected given that SEN is not facing adverse conditions such as those of November 6, when Cuba was hit by Hurricane Rafael and the Cespedes thermoelectric plant suffered damage.
During a meeting of the government group overseeing the recovery of the electrical system, Labor Minister Marta Feito announced the suspension of work and educational activities.
“Other services will continue to be provided as long as conditions allow. Vital services will not be interrupted, and no worker will be financially affected,” she pointed out.
On Wednesday, the Havana Electric Company announced that it had managed to restore service in four hospitals and was continuing its efforts to restore electricity throughout the city.
teleSUR/ JF Source: teleSUR
