Teams from the Cienfuegos refinery, part of the Union Cuba-Petroleum (Cupet), are making strides in constructing a new section of pipeline over four kilometers long. This line will transport Cuban crude oil to the Carlos Manuel de Céspedes thermoelectric plant, as reported by Canal Caribe on the official television network on Saturday.
The initial plan aimed to replace 3.3 kilometers of aging and heavily worn pipes. However, by mid-June, an additional 900 meters were added to the project, expanding the total length to over four kilometers within the central 11-kilometer system linking the refinery to the power plant.
At the time of the report, 1,935 meters of new conduits had been welded, and 240 meters had been placed in trenches. Excavation was still needed for the remaining 845 meters.
Cupet executives emphasized that the project is progressing without interrupting fuel supply to the power plant. "We're replacing the sections where we've found the most failures," stated a project leader.
The Carlos Manuel de Céspedes plant requires an average of 1,600 cubic meters of crude oil daily for its thermal units.
Cupet specialists warned that transporting such volumes by road is "nearly impossible" given Cuba's current energy challenges.
A company technician highlighted that "this upgrade will provide greater operational security for the power plant and improve pumping rates. It means we could pump a larger volume than we currently do," referring to the anticipated benefits of the investment.
This pipeline project takes place amid Cuba's most severe energy crisis in decades. Since the Trump administration enforced secondary sanctions on countries supplying oil to Cuba under Executive Order 14380, signed on January 29, fuel imports have plummeted by 80% to 90%.
Venezuela halted its subsidized supply of 25,000 to 35,000 barrels per day after the capture of former President Nicolás Maduro, and Mexico ceased its shipments. Cuba's production is barely 40,000 barrels a day, while demand ranges from 90,000 to 110,000.
A recent respite was the processing of 100,000 tons of crude oil donated by Russia, with its derivatives being distributed starting April 19 across all provinces, though this only covered about a third of the national demand for a month.
Cuban leader Miguel Díaz-Canel acknowledged the dire situation in April with a widely circulated remark: "There is almost no fuel."
The Carlos Manuel de Céspedes power plant, with an installed capacity of 316 MW, has faced numerous breakdowns in 2025 and 2026, including a fire in block four in January 2025 and several outages throughout the year.
The revised timeline for completing the new pipeline sets the finish date for August 30.
FAQs on Cienfuegos Refinery Pipeline Project
Why is the pipeline replacement necessary?
The pipeline replacement is crucial due to the extensive wear and deterioration of the existing pipes, which are decades old. This upgrade ensures a reliable and efficient supply of crude oil to the thermoelectric plant.
How much crude oil does the Carlos Manuel de Céspedes plant need daily?
The plant requires approximately 1,600 cubic meters of crude oil each day to maintain its operations.
What are the challenges faced in transporting oil in Cuba?
Transporting oil by road is nearly impossible due to the current energy crisis in Cuba. The new pipeline aims to alleviate these challenges by providing a more secure and efficient means of transport.