The thermal power plant Lidio Ramón Pérez, known as Felton, in Holguín, has been undergoing emergency repairs for a week after its unit 1 went offline last Friday, September 5, due to a transformer failure and a hydrogen leak in the generator.
The official spokesperson Emilio Rodríguez Pupo broadcast images from the plant itself, where engineers and technicians are working on uncovering the generator to fix the crack, one of the most delicate tasks on the schedule.
According to him, the workers are laboring 24 hours a day under complex conditions, with the goal of restoring the unit to the system in about 20 days.
Although the authorities insist on this schedule, the reality of the Cuban electrical system suggests that the repairs could take much longer. Previous experiences at Felton itself have shown that these maintenance activities often extend due to a lack of parts, deficiencies in lifting equipment, and logistical limitations.
The engineer Eric Milanés Quinzán, director of the industry, acknowledged that the operation also includes the inspection of bearings in the turbine, cleaning of the steam condenser, and repair of a high-pressure heater.
Interventions that, under a modern system, would be feasible within the announced timeframe, but in Cuba's outdated infrastructure, seem more like a political announcement than an achievable technical goal.
Patch over patch
La Felton, inaugurated over 40 years ago, has experienced fires, explosions, and constant outages. Its deterioration symbolizes the structural crisis of an exhausted thermoelectric plant, where instead of replacing equipment, temporary fixes are applied that barely ensure a few months of operation.
Days later, the Antonio Guiteras thermoelectric plant in Matanzas caused a blackout across the Island, the fifth in less than a year, confirming that the National Electric System is in a critical state.
For millions of Cubans, the question remains the same: Do these maintenance works serve as a real solution or are they just a temporary fix that postpones the inevitable?
Frequently Asked Questions about the Felton Thermoelectric Plant and the Energy Crisis in Cuba
What is the current situation of the Felton thermoelectric plant?
The Felton thermoelectric plant, officially known as Lidio Ramón Pérez, is undergoing emergency repairs due to a failure in the transformer and a hydrogen leak in the generator. These repairs are expected to last at least 20 days, although the reality of the Cuban electrical system suggests that it could take longer.
Why could the repairs in Felton take longer than announced?
Repairs in Felton may extend beyond the official deadline due to the lack of spare parts, deficiencies in lifting equipment, and logistical limitations in Cuba. These conditions complicate the execution of repairs in an outdated electrical system.
Are the repairs at the Felton thermoelectric plant a real solution to the energy crisis in Cuba?
Repairs at the Felton thermoelectric plant are seen by many as a temporary fix. The Cuban electrical system requires more than emergency repairs due to its outdated infrastructure and lack of structural investments. Instead of long-term solutions, repairs that only ensure a few months of operation are often chosen.
How does Felton's situation affect the energy crisis in Cuba?
The situation at Felton exacerbates the energy crisis in Cuba, as its disconnection from the electrical system contributes to extended blackouts throughout the country. The lack of sufficient generation due to the malfunction at Felton has caused some regions to experience power outages of up to 30 continuous hours.
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