Vicente de la O Levy, the Minister of Energy and Mines, has publicly acknowledged for the first time that several solar parks in eastern Cuba sustained damage and flooding in the wake of Hurricane Melissa. This admission stands in stark contrast to recent official statements that downplayed the extent of the damage, describing it as "minimal."
During a report broadcast by Cubadebate, the minister detailed that while the structures withstood the high winds, "some panels were damaged" and there are "levels of flooding" that necessitate isolating the systems to prevent short circuits.
"As we've mentioned before, isolation is crucial to avoid causing short circuits due to water issues," de la O Levy emphasized.
The minister's tours included the provinces of Holguín, Granma, and Santiago de Cuba, where significant flooding was observed, particularly between Cacocum and Bayamo.
He also acknowledged that Felton's thermoelectric plant is facing challenges due to the flooding of its cooling wells, and several transmission lines have been impacted, with towers knocked down between Cueto and Bayamo.
The minister's remarks directly contradict earlier statements from the government and state media, which reported that the hurricane caused only "minimal damage to photovoltaic parks." Cuban President Miguel Díaz-Canel had praised the outcome as a demonstration of the system's "resilience and efficiency."
Furthermore, the Union Eléctrica de Cuba (UNE) had previously defended its protective measures—such as securing panels with plastic straps—claiming they adhered to "international standards" and that the structures were engineered to withstand winds up to 228 kilometers per hour.
Nevertheless, subsequent images and reports revealed that the Río Cauto Solar Park in Granma province was completely submerged and out of service, exposing the vulnerability of an infrastructure that the government has tried to portray as a symbol of modernity and efficiency.
While the official narrative celebrated the "victory" of the solar parks against the hurricane, the minister's comments unveil a more complex reality marked by accumulated damage, the risk of short circuits, and ongoing recovery tasks in an electrical system already weakened by years of crisis and neglect.
Impact of Hurricane Melissa on Cuba's Solar Infrastructure
What damage did Hurricane Melissa cause to Cuba's solar parks?
Hurricane Melissa caused damage to several solar panels and flooding in solar parks located in eastern Cuba, necessitating isolation of the systems to prevent short circuits.
How did the government's statements differ from the actual impact?
The government initially reported "minimal damage," but the Energy Minister later revealed significant flooding and damage, contradicting earlier official statements.
Why is the damage to solar parks significant for Cuba?
The damage is significant as it highlights the vulnerability of Cuba's solar infrastructure, which the government promotes as a symbol of modernity and efficiency.