A fire that broke out on Monday at the under-construction solar photovoltaic park in the municipality of Abreus, Cienfuegos, was extinguished by workers at the site and the fire department.
The flames originated at noon on Monday in “a small area” of the park located in Alcalde Mayor. According to Salvador Vera Hernández, the investment director of the Cienfuegos Electric Company, a batch of panels that were set to be installed soon was stored at the site of the incident, as reported by the local newspaper 5 de Septiembre.
The fire was extinguished "in time" and there were no human casualties, Vera stated, noting that, apart from the panels, "no other resources were affected," although she did not specify the extent of the damages.
"Our workers acted quickly upon spotting the flames; they immediately used the fire extinguishers, nearby piles of sand, and activated a water line before the arrival of the firefighters, who were quite far from the location," explained the official in charge of the construction of the photovoltaic park.
Vera indicated that the damage caused by the fire was being assessed while experts investigate the possible causes.
The executive assured that the incident will not halt operations in the park, stating that "the setup of the tables and the assembly of new panels will continue" in order to meet the deadline set for December 20th.
"We even have a margin of time to replace the equipment that was affected by the fire," he said.
The solar photovoltaic park in Alcalde Mayor, located in Abreus, utilizes technology from China, similar to two other parks being built in Cienfuegos. Together, the three are expected to add around 78 MW to electricity generation once synchronized, "with the potential to provide energy coverage for the entire province," reported the official portal Cubadebate following a visit by leader Miguel Díaz-Canel in October.
Vera then stated that the solar parks in Cienfuegos each have a capacity of 21.87 MW, cover approximately 35 hectares, and consist of over 1,600 panels, according to a report from the official website of the Presidency of Cuba, which mentioned that all three will be connected to the National Electric System (SEN) in the first half of next year.
In 2023, China donated over 114 million dollars to install 22 photovoltaic parks in Cuba, supporting the Cuban government's intentions to reduce dependence on fossil fuels and address the long-standing energy crisis that the country has been facing for years.
The regime aims to change the energy matrix of the island, which relies 95% on fossil fuels. The national energy transition plan intends for 37% of its energy mix to come from renewable sources by 2030, although it currently accounts for only 5%, and investments in this area are minimal, EFE news agency noted.
Frequently Asked Questions about the Fire at the Photovoltaic Solar Park in Cienfuegos
Where did the fire occur in the Cienfuegos solar park?
The fire occurred at a photovoltaic solar park under construction in the municipality of Abreus, Cienfuegos, specifically in the town of Alcalde Mayor.
What damage did the fire cause in the solar park?
The fire affected a batch of solar panels that had not yet been installed, but there were no human casualties or other resources impacted, according to Salvador Vera Hernández, director of investments at the Electric Company of Cienfuegos.
How was the fire at the solar park extinguished?
The park workers acted quickly using fire extinguishers, piles of sand, and a water hose, managing to control the flames before the arrival of the fire department.
Will the fire affect the construction of the solar park in Cienfuegos?
The fire will not hinder the construction work of the solar park, which the Cuban government expects to be completed and connected to the National Electroenergetic System (SEN) by the first half of 2025.
Filed under: