Photos released by the Unión Eléctrica (UNE) capture the dramatic blaze that erupted early Sunday morning at the Antonio Maceo thermoelectric plant, widely known as Renté, located in Santiago de Cuba. The UNE described the fire as "large and distressing." By 6:11 a.m., the organization updated the public, confirming that the flames had been completely extinguished.
According to official reports, the fire was brought under control due to the coordinated efforts of the plant's workers, personnel from the Hermanos Díaz Refinery, tanker truck drivers from the Aguas Santiago and Granma companies, along with electricity and rescue specialists. The blaze ignited around 1:00 a.m., with flames detected in the auxiliary installations that use heavy fuel oil, as stated by Aris Arias Batalla from the Ministry of Public Health, who communicated via Facebook.
Firefighting units 1 and 4, stationed at Martí and Vista Alegre, responded to the scene along with tanker trucks, Red Cross teams, and UNE technical brigades in a concerted effort to manage the emergency. The presence of Party officials, provincial government representatives, and Ministry of the Interior (MININT) commanders underscored the seriousness of the incident. Fortunately, no injuries or fatalities were reported.
The El Purial community council in Holguín assured via Facebook that "there was no direct threat to the main generating plant." Local broadcaster CMKX Radio Bayamo shared images depicting the aftermath of the fire at the facility.
Context of Ongoing Operational Challenges
This incident occurs amidst recurring operational failures at the power plant. Just hours before the fire, Renté's Unit 5 was taken offline due to a leak in the furnace. Meanwhile, Unit 3 went out of operation less than 11 hours after synchronization due to a "low vacuum" issue. These successive failures have left Renté with a severely limited capacity to supply energy to the National Electric System (SEN), despite its status as one of the most vital plants in eastern Cuba.
The situation highlights the accumulated deterioration of the facility, which has been in operation for over four decades with insufficient maintenance and a chronic shortage of spare parts, leaving the region's electrical system in a precarious state.
Common Questions about the Renté Power Plant Fire
What caused the fire at the Renté Power Plant?
The fire started in the auxiliary installations that use heavy fuel oil, as flames were detected around 1:00 a.m.
Were there any casualties due to the fire?
Thankfully, there were no reported injuries or fatalities resulting from the fire.
How did authorities respond to the fire?
Firefighting teams, tanker trucks, Red Cross teams, and UNE technical brigades were mobilized, with support from Party officials, provincial government representatives, and MININT commanders.