The first of the six high-voltage towers knocked down by Hurricane Rafael in Artemisa has finally been assembled and installed at kilometer 32 of the Havana-Pinar del Río highway.
These are the towers that the hurricane destroyed on November 6, leaving the provinces of Artemisa and Pinar del Río without electricity.
The new metal structure, approximately 40 meters tall, integrates the 220 Kv Mariel-Pinar del Río line as part of the National Electric System (SEN).
According to a report from the weekly Trabajadores, assembly operations for the angles and other accessories for the installation of the second tower are taking place nearby.
The work is carried out by workers and specialists from the Electric Industry Construction Company (ECIE).
Julio Rafael Jiménez García, the director of investments for the entity, explained that the land is being prepared for the crane that will lift the metal structure.
The expert assured that the protection of workers is guaranteed, as well as quality control throughout the entire process.
"It is planned to complete the lifting of the six towers and their total delivery in approximately 18 days, and then proceed to energize the line," the note specifies.
Brigades from Matanzas, Camagüey, Sancti Spíritus, Ciego de Ávila, Santiago de Cuba, Holguín, Pinar del Río, Villa Clara, Havana, and the local Artemisa area are working on site.
More than 10 days after the hurricane passed through western Cuba, Artemisa has only 51.69% of customers with electricity service.
According to the Ministry of Energy and Mines, work is progressing on the repair of the primary circuit Güira 4kV-1, and this Saturday the electricity coverage in the area will continue to increase.
Repairing a fallen and broken high-tension tower is a costly and complex process that requires specialized equipment, specific tools, and a methodical approach.
The time and resources needed for the repair or construction of a new tower depend on the extent of the damage, accessibility to the site, and the availability of materials and specialized personnel.
After construction, safety tests must be conducted to ensure that the structure and wiring are correctly installed and that there are no short circuits, before gradually restoring the electrical supply.
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