The Cuban government announced the rehabilitation of Block 2 of the Felton Thermal Power Plant in Mayarí, Holguín, five years after the fire that halted it, promising that it will be ready by the end of 2027 or early 2028.
Erick Milanés Quinzán, the plant's general director, announced that repairs on block 2 will begin in May 2025, with an execution timeline of two and a half years, aiming for completion by the end of 2027. This is over five years after the fire that rendered it out of service, reported the government-aligned CubaDebate.
Milanés confirmed that almost all the boiler's structures are already in the country, and the arrival of the last necessary supplies is expected next month.
These components will be manufactured at the Paco Cabrera Metal Structures Factory (Metunas), while the pipes sourced from abroad will facilitate the assembly of the boiler components, which will be carried out according to a detailed schedule.
He optimistically noted that the necessary funding is expected to be secured by the end of this year to acquire the remaining elements and equipment needed, which will ensure an assembly sequence that allows for the future synchronization of the unit with the National Electroenergetic System (SEN).
Additionally, he stated that this project represents a crucial investment for the country, as the plant, inaugurated in 2001, is the power station with the highest installed capacity in Cuba.
Block 2 of Felton experienced a fire in 2022 while attempting to rejoin the SEN after a partially capitalizable repair.
This incident severely damaged the boiler, taking out of service a unit that was supposed to contribute 240 MW to the national electrical system at a critical time of energy demand, which then escalated and led to one of the greatest energy crises the country has faced in 60 years.
Although the government promises to complete the rehabilitation on time, the history of delays and technical difficulties in similar projects raises skepticism about the feasibility of the announced deadlines.
However, there remains an expectation that, once the process is complete, Block 2 of Felton will resume operations as a key pillar for electricity generation on the island.
In last October, Unit 1 of the Felton Power Plant went offline for "partial maintenance," according to the entity's own Facebook page.
"The ETE 'Lidio Ramón Pérez' Felton has begun to reduce its load for partial maintenance. The main work will focus on the boiler," the publication clarified, which did not provide details on how long the thermoelectric plant, located in Mayarí, Holguín province, is expected to remain offline from the National Electric System.
Cuba's Unión Eléctrica (UNE) specified in the planned blackout report for October 29 that the "urgent" maintenance of Felton will last for 10 days.
However, since November 11, the CTE has been generating 220 MW, as reported by the entity itself on Facebook.
The Felton Thermal Power Plant, along with the Guiteras Thermal Power Plant, is one of the fundamental pillars of Cuba's National Electroenergetic System (SEN). However, the Guiteras Thermal Power Plant, which was scheduled to come online this Sunday, had to be disconnected again for technical adjustments.
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