Images released by the Electric Union (UNE) show the large fire that occurred early Sunday morning at the Antonio Maceo thermoelectric plant, known as Renté, in Santiago de Cuba.
The UNE described the fire as "large and painful."
At 6:11 am, the entity updated its information and revealed that the flames had been completely extinguished.
According to the official report, the fire was completely extinguished thanks to the coordinated efforts of workers from the plant, personnel from the Hermanos Díaz Refinery, tanker truck drivers from the Aguas Santiago and Granma companies, as well as specialists in electricity and rescue.
The fire originated around 1:00 AM, when flames were detected in the auxiliary facilities that use heavy fuel oil, according to Aris Arias Batalla, an official from the Ministry of Public Health, who reported this via Facebook.
Firefighter teams 1 and 4, located in Martí and Vista Alegre, arrived at the scene, along with tanker trucks, Red Cross teams, and technical brigades from the UNE, in a coordinated effort to manage the emergency.
Authorities from the Party, the provincial government, and leaders from the Ministry of the Interior (MININT) also attended, highlighting the seriousness of the incident.
Fortunately, no injuries or fatalities were reported.
According to the Facebook page of the El Purial popular council in Holguín, "there was no direct danger to the main generating plant."
The local broadcaster CMKX Radio Bayamo shared images of how the facility looked after the incident.
The fire occurs amidst a context of recurring failures at the power plant.
Just a few hours earlier, unit 5 of Renté had gone out of service due to a leak in the furnace.
For its part, unit 3 had gone offline less than 11 hours after its synchronization due to a "low vacuum" issue.
These consecutive incidents leave Renté with very limited capacity to supply energy to the National Electro-Energetic System (SEN), despite being one of the most important plants in eastern Cuba.
The situation highlights the accumulated deterioration of the facility, which has been operating for more than four decades with incomplete maintenance and a chronic lack of spare parts, leaving the electrical system in the region in a critical state of vulnerability.
Frequently Asked Questions about the fire at the Renté Central in Santiago de Cuba
How did the fire at the Renté Central in Santiago de Cuba originate?
The fire originated in the auxiliary facilities that use heavy fuel oil around 1:00 AM on September 21, 2025. The flames were detected early in the morning, allowing for a swift response from emergency teams.
What were the consequences of the fire at the Renté Central?
Fortunately, no injuries or fatalities were reported as a result of the fire. However, the incident highlights the structural fragility of the Renté Plant, which was already experiencing recurring issues with its units.
What impact does the fire have on the energy crisis in Cuba?
The fire at the Renté Power Plant worsens the already critical energy situation in Cuba, where the generation deficit often exceeds 1,800 megawatts during peak hours. The plant is one of the most important in eastern Cuba, and its limited current capacity further impacts the National Electric System (SEN).
What measures were taken to control the fire at the Renté Power Plant?
The extinguishing of the fire was made possible thanks to the coordinated efforts of workers from the plant, personnel from the Hermanos Díaz Refinery, drivers of tanker trucks from Aguas Santiago and Granma, as well as specialists in electricity and rescue. Firefighting teams and equipment from the Red Cross were deployed to control the emergency.
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