The "Camilo Cienfuegos" Solar Photovoltaic Park, situated in Río Cauto municipality within Granma province, has been completely submerged following the heavy rains brought by Hurricane Melissa.
CMKX Radio Bayamo released a photograph depicting the current state of the solar park. This site, which had already been integrated into the National Electric System (SEN), is now under water alongside vast agricultural lands and nearby homes in the Cauto Valley.
The solar panels are nearly underwater, suggesting severe damage to a critical infrastructure component for electricity production in eastern Cuba.
Last week, leader Miguel Díaz-Canel claimed that Hurricane Melissa caused "minimal damage to photovoltaic parks," asserting that this indicated the country's successful resilience to the storm's impact.
The Río Cauto solar park was connected to the National Electric System (SEN) in July 2025, with the capacity to deliver 21.8 megawatts (MW) of clean energy. Currently, it is out of service.
During an aerial inspection of the affected area, Provincial Defense Council authorities, along with high-ranking officials from the Eastern Army and Communist Party leaders, assessed the damage.
This collapse of the solar park deals another blow to the already struggling national energy system, which is plagued by daily blackouts and a lack of maintenance.
Meanwhile, residents in the area have taken to social media to criticize the slow pace of rescue efforts and the insufficient response to the disaster's scale.
The disaster images spark renewed debate about the vulnerability of Cuba's energy infrastructure to increasingly severe weather events.
Impact of Flooding on Cuba's Solar Energy Infrastructure
What caused the flooding of the Río Cauto Solar Park?
The Río Cauto Solar Park was flooded due to heavy rains brought by Hurricane Melissa.
What is the significance of the Río Cauto Solar Park?
The park was capable of producing 21.8 megawatts of clean energy, making it a vital part of Cuba's energy infrastructure.
How did the government assess the damage?
Officials from the Provincial Defense Council, the Eastern Army, and the Communist Party conducted an aerial survey to evaluate the damage.