A spill of crude oil at the former José Martí thermoelectric plant, which has been out of operation since 2015, was finally contained this Thursday in the industrial area of Matanzas.
CUPET teams, firefighters, and technicians from the Antonio Guiteras Thermoelectric Power Plant managed to extract the crude oil that had leaked from one of the abandoned tanks. The incident reveals much more than just a simple environmental emergency and exposes a chain of negligence accumulated over the years.
The crude oil had been stored without destination or technical oversight for over a decade, in a corroded and obsolete metal structure, located in a highly flammable industrial environment.
A ticking time bomb that almost exploded
The José Martí thermoelectric plant was closed 10 years ago without the fuel being removed from its tanks. The technical director of the Antonio Guiteras CTE, Román Pérez Castañeda, stated that "certain actions were taken," but none were enough to prevent the oil spill this Thursday.
The spilled crude was contained in the tank's bund, where intensive efforts were made to extract it. At the same time, nearby tanks belonging to CUPET were being cooled, and firefighting equipment was deployed to prevent spontaneous combustion.
Despite the deployment, one of the pumping systems malfunctioned due to battery issues in the motor, necessitating an urgent transport of parts. This seemingly minor detail highlights the fragility of the response system in case of emergencies in critical infrastructure.
Improvised containment and environmental risk
Fearing that the main retaining wall would not hold, a second barrier made of rocky material was improvised. This measure reflects the lack of structural maintenance, the deterioration, and the neglect of a facility whose situation has not been addressed or prevented for years.
The José Martí thermoelectric plant, once a symbol of energy efficiency for being the first to use domestic crude oil, has become yet another example of the deterioration of the Cuban energy system.
Without decommissioning protocols or waste management, the plant was abandoned with fuel inside, as if there were no risks at all. This incident adds to the disaster at the Matanzas supertanker base in 2022, confirming a systematic pattern of vulnerability, improvisation, and negligence.
Frequently Asked Questions about the Fuel Spill at the Matanzas Power Plant
What caused the oil spill at the José Martí power plant?
The oil spill at the José Martí thermoelectric plant was caused by lack of maintenance and corrosion of tanks that have been out of use since 2015. The crude oil remained stored without technical oversight, leading to this environmental emergency. The plant, abandoned with fuel inside, reflects a pattern of negligence in the management of critical infrastructure in Cuba.
How was the oil spill at the Matanzas thermoelectric plant contained?
The spill was controlled by extracting the crude oil that had leaked into the tank basin. CUPET teams, firefighters, and technicians worked diligently on this process. Additionally, nearby tanks were cooled to prevent spontaneous combustion, and a second containment barrier was improvised with rocky material due to the risk of failure of the main containment wall.
What environmental risks does the oil spill in Matanzas pose?
The oil spill in Matanzas poses a high risk of fire and environmental damage. The threat of the spilled fuel reaching the sea is real, which could severely impact the marine ecosystem. Moreover, the delayed response and lack of preventive maintenance reflect a pattern of environmental vulnerability in Cuban industrial infrastructures.
Why was the José Martí thermoelectric plant still full of fuel?
The José Martí thermoelectric plant remained full of fuel because its extraction was not managed after its closure in 2015. Although some actions were taken, they were insufficient to empty the tanks. This situation reflects the lack of dismantling protocols and waste management in the Cuban energy system.
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