Juan Bravo Núñez, the technical director of "Carlos Manuel de Céspedes," provided details about the fire that occurred at that thermoelectric plant in Cienfuegos.
The executive explained in a video released by official sources that at 10:20 a.m. this Thursday, there was "an electrical accident in the 6kv room of unit 3 of the thermoelectric plant."
Bravo Núñez specified that the room "suffered considerable damage", although he mentioned that firefighting brigades and fire troops from the province responded immediately.
He added that the fire "spread to unit n. 4," and described what happened as a "major issue."
Regarding potential human harm, he pointed out that there were "a few cases of shortness of breath" among the workers, who underwent medical evaluation.
Finally, the executive concluded that the damages were being assessed and the possible causes of the fire were being analyzed.
In recent hours, Cuba's Electric Union (UNE) announced on social media that the Commander of the Revolution, Ramiro Valdés, and the director of UNE, Alfredo López, visited the thermoelectric plant.
“At the time of this publication, the strategy to be followed is being analyzed. The commitment of the workers of Carlos Manuel de Céspedes is to work and recover”, concluded the UNE.
On social media, many Cubans have expressed concern over this new electrical tragedy that could result in further blackouts for the population.
Radio Ciudad del Mar clarified that the incident does not worsen the situation of the national energy system, as the two units of the thermoelectric plant - which total about 316 MW - were already out of the National Electric System (SEN) for being "under maintenance" at the time of the disaster.
Meanwhile, the energy crisis in Cuba continues to worsen with longer blackouts every day. For this Friday, a peak hour impact of 1,550 MW is expected.
UPDATE
According to the General Director of the Electric Union, ING. Alfredo López Valdés, the recovery of areas affected by the fire "will be scheduled in accordance with the planned maintenance of Unit # 3."
He emphasized that "the work will not delay the arrival of the machine. The leader assured that the maintenance of Blocks 3 and 4 will continue as planned" and that "resources are currently being managed to restore electrical systems damaged by fire."
On the morning of this Friday, Vicente O Levy, the Minister of Energy and Mines, visited the facilities damaged by fire.
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