Guiteras Workers Endure Severe Strain Amid Power Crisis

Amidst Cuba's ongoing energy crisis, laborers involved in the maintenance of the island's aging thermoelectric plants face severe physical strain. These workers endure shifts lasting up to 14 hours, temperatures reaching 140 degrees Fahrenheit inside boilers, and heights of 492 feet above the ground.

The recent 90-hour maintenance of the Antonio Guiteras thermoelectric plant in Matanzas exemplifies these challenges, as reported by the state-run newspaper Granma this Wednesday.

The maintenance, prompted by a malfunction in the high-temperature reheater that led to excessive water consumption and unstable load conditions, took place from May 6 to May 9.

Veteran Workers Share Their Experiences

Norberto Padrón Ramos, the most experienced worker on the team with 38 years of welding across all of Cuba's thermoelectric plants, described the grueling conditions. "Inside the boiler, the heat is unbearable. You must adhere strictly to safety measures because the gases can seriously harm your health. The long hours required for these interventions are truly exhausting," he shared.

Despite the hardships, Padrón Ramos remains committed to his work, noting, "It's a job that eventually takes a toll, but I have no regrets." He also participated in the major maintenance of the Guiteras in 2004 as part of a national team of technicians.

Safety and Challenges in the Workplace

Adaelsis Garcés Torreblanca, head of the Workplace Safety and Health group, spoke about the challenges of overseeing a seasoned team that can become complacent. "If someone gets even a minor injury, it's on me. That's why I have to be strict with everyone. I don't leave until the last person is down," she stated.

Following the 90-hour shutdown, the Guiteras plant restarted cold in the early hours of May 9 and managed to generate between 200 and 210 megawatts after eight hours, significantly below its optimal capacity of 270 megawatts.

Obstacles to Essential Upgrades

Technical director Román Pérez Castañeda acknowledged the plant's urgent need for a major overhaul lasting at least 180 days, with the last one conducted in 2010. However, Cuba's current situation has prevented this essential maintenance.

Meanwhile, the plant has accumulated 520 planned repair interventions, which are being addressed during short stoppages. "We seize these opportunities to advance some of the 520 planned repairs, at least those that can be completed quickly," Castañeda explained.

Castañeda also highlighted the difficulties posed by Washington's sanctions, which complicate the procurement of parts and hiring of foreign technical advisors. "This is a direct blow to the national energy sector, forcing us to navigate through the eye of a needle to find solutions," he remarked.

Future Uncertain for Guiteras Plant

The Guiteras plant stands as the largest single unit within Cuba's National Electric System. Although the regime promised a major overhaul in August 2025, set for early 2026, Energy Minister Vicente de la O Levy postponed it in December of that year due to "temporary issues."

Further promises were made in April 2026 without a fixed date, and the plant experienced another outage that same month.

With the major overhaul indefinitely delayed and 520 repairs pending, the workers at Guiteras continue to confront extreme conditions during each intervention. Their physical efforts sustain a plant that the regime has been unable—or unwilling—to fully repair over the last 15 years.