Minor damages have been reported at the Felton thermoelectric plant following Hurricane Melissa

The Lidio Ramón Pérez thermoelectric plant, known as Felton and located in the Mayarí municipality of Holguín province, sustained minor damages following the passage of Hurricane Melissa, according to the newspaper Ahora and confirmed by journalist Emilio Rodríguez Pupo.

According to initial reports, the plant —one of the main generators of the national electrical system— shows partial damage to roofs and metal structures, although these “do not prevent the technical start-up of the units,” according to statements from its executives.

“#Felton on standby. This is the current status of the pumping system that supplies water to the thermoelectric plant. Experts predict that it will take no less than five days before they can access the site to attempt to reinstall the system,” reported the newspaper Ahora on its official page.

The main obstacle to resuming operations lies in the inability to access the water pumping system, which supplies the cooling and electricity generation processes of the plant.

The heavy rains and landslides caused by Hurricane Melissa blocked access roads to the site, preventing the entry of technical personnel.

Engineers anticipate that, once access is restored and safety conditions are guaranteed, it will take at least five days to assess the damage to the hydraulic system and reinstall the affected equipment.

The executives of the thermoelectric plant clarified that the hurricane caused partial damage to roofs and metal structures, without compromising the main generation systems.

However, the plant continues to operate without external electricity supply, which prevents checks and tests on the equipment.

"The main challenge now is to restore the pumping and ensure energy to begin the startup process," explained a Felton specialist quoted by Emilio Rodríguez Pupo.

"We cannot operate without water or check the systems without power; we depend on the overall restoration in the area."

The Felton thermoelectric plant is regarded as one of the most important energy facilities in the country, with an installed capacity exceeding 500 megawatts.

Its operation is key to the electricity supply for the eastern provinces, which were severely affected by Hurricane Melissa.

Energy sector authorities have reported that technical teams and specialists from the Ministry of Energy and Mines are heading to the area to assist with diagnosis, cleaning, and repair efforts.

The hurricane Melissa struck eastern Cuba with winds of up to 185 km/h and torrential rains that caused flooding, landslides, and damage to the electrical infrastructure in several provinces. Holguín, one of the hardest hit, remains partially without electrical service and has numerous damaged circuits.