Holguín remains shrouded in darkness since Hurricane Melissa swept through, as confirmed by the Holguín Electric Company in an official announcement on their Facebook page.
The company highlighted that currently, only a few state-operated centers with their own generators have power, while the majority of the region, including the island's grid and its connection to the National Electric System (SEN), is still without electricity.
"Our primary focus today is to deploy technical personnel to assess the circuits, evaluate the extent of the damage, and identify failures at all voltage levels," the company stated. They also mentioned that two support contingents from Mayabeque and Ciego de Ávila are already in the province, prepared to commence repair efforts once the damage assessment is complete.
Additionally, mixed brigades from various companies, under the coordination of the Defense Councils, are engaged in clearing fallen trees and debris to expedite the recovery process.
The Electric Company outlined two potential avenues for restoring service: one involves establishing an isolated system using available distributed generation, referred to as "island mode," and the other involves reconnecting the network through the Holguín-Nuevitas line from Camagüey province.
Local generation units are currently undergoing technical inspections to ensure they are ready to start, with the expectation that once certified, they can begin operating to supply electricity to parts of the area.
"We anticipate having a clearer forecast of the circuits and the system's status by the end of the day," the official statement concluded.
The ongoing situation in Holguín underscores the persistent vulnerability of Cuba's electrical infrastructure, plagued by frequent breakdowns due to aging technology, inadequate investment, and the regime's reliance on unstable energy resources.
Understanding Holguín's Power Crisis Post-Hurricane Melissa
Why is Holguín still without power after Hurricane Melissa?
Holguín remains without power largely due to extensive damage caused by Hurricane Melissa, impacting the island's grid and its connection to the National Electric System. Only state centers with their own generators currently have electricity.
What measures are being taken to restore electricity in Holguín?
Efforts include technical assessments of circuits, deployment of support contingents for repairs, and coordination of mixed brigades for clearing debris. Restoration plans involve establishing an isolated system or reconnecting through the Holguín-Nuevitas line.
How does the situation in Holguín reflect on Cuba's electrical system?
The power outage in Holguín highlights the fragility of Cuba's electrical infrastructure, which frequently experiences breakdowns due to outdated technology, lack of investment, and dependence on unstable energy resources.