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The eastern region of Cuba lost electrical service on Tuesday evening following the total disconnection of circuits in that part of the country, as part of the measures announced in anticipation of the imminent impact of Hurricane Melissa, which is moving toward the area with winds exceeding 230 kilometers per hour.
The information was published by the Electric Company of Santiago de Cuba on its official Telegram channel, where it confirmed that the disconnection affects the entire Southern East system, while the "de-energization of the transmission network" is being carried out in that part of the country.
According to the statement, the service will only be maintained from the West to Camagüey, with the aim of protecting the stability of the National Electroenergy System (SEN) during the passage of the cyclone, which is still striking Jamaica with devastating force but is already starting to be felt in the east of Cuba.
In addition, the company announced the disconnection of the main thermal power plants in the region: Antonio Maceo (Rente) in Santiago de Cuba; Lidio Ramón Pérez (Felton) in Holguín; and the Fuel Plant in Moa, due to their geographic location and the direct threat from hurricane winds.
"The process is carried out in a controlled manner to maintain the integrity of the operation of the National Electroenergetic System in the central-eastern region," the statement specified.
The Electric Company of Holguín reported on its official Telegram channel that, due to the proximity of Hurricane Melissa, electrical load is being reduced in the province as a safety measure after exceeding the maximum allowable cutoff.
The statement specifies that units 5 and 6 of the Antonio Maceo "Renté" Thermal Power Plant were disconnected as part of the actions taken to protect the stability of the National Electric Power System (SEN) in light of the approaching cyclone.
Confirmation also arrived from the Electric Company of Santiago de Cuba, which reported the deactivation of the Eastern South system and the controlled shutdown of several eastern thermoelectric plants, including Felton and the Fuel plant in Moa, to preserve the integrity of the National Electric System during the hurricane's passage.
The measure leaves millions of people in the eastern provinces without electricity, including Santiago de Cuba, Granma, Holguín, and Guantánamo, at a time when the country is facing the initial effects of Hurricane Melissa, classified as a Category 4 major cyclone by the National Hurricane Center (NHC) in its latest report.
Hours earlier, the renowned Cuban meteorologist José Rubiera issued an urgent alert about the imminent arrival of Hurricane Melissa in eastern Cuba, warning that the phenomenon “will be destructive” and that residents must protect their lives and those of their families in the face of extreme danger.
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