Despite the prolonged blackouts, the grateful speak of the advantages and potential of sunlight. Some underhand individuals attack renewable energy sources in Ciego de Ávila.
Many workers are building walls, assembling metal tables, placing panels, burying cables, installing inverters and speeding up the other tasks of the investment programme for changing Cuba’s energy matrix.
When, at a certain moment, the level of work activity died down, a criminal act occurred covertly that affected a project of extraordinary interest for the National Electricity System (SEN), in the province of Ciego de Ávila.
A recent publication in the local media revealed the results of an exemplary trial of two citizens who stole approximately 50,000 screws intended for the assembly of metal structures to support panels in the photovoltaic solar parks.
Both accused of the crime of sabotage felt more than a shock from the Sun. In the criminal chamber of the Provincial People’s Court, they were sentenced to nine and seven years’ imprisonment, respectively, with ancillary sanctions and the obligation to compensate for the material damage to the State, amounting to more than 617,907 pesos.
Against the Current
The photovoltaic solar park project is progressing, despite the economic impact on the Avilanian electricity company for the acquisition and transport of new resources to continue the investment delayed by the criminal act.
An example of this type of facility evolving for synchronisation with the SEN is being undertaken in the municipality of Majagua, to the southwest of the Avilanian territory, with advice from specialists from the People’s Republic of China.
Designed with a capacity of 5 megawatts, it will have the advantage of accumulating 1 megawatt in its batteries to generate after sunset.
With the short-term opening of this site, the Avilanian territory will reach eight centres contributing to the SEN from the municipalities of Ciego de Ávila, Morón, Chambas, Venezuela, Baraguá and the town of Ceballos.
Donations from the Asian nation made it possible for Cuba to begin the experience with seven 35-megawatt photovoltaic solar parks; 15 of the 85-megawatt order were incorporated in the second stage and the projection is to grow generation with these technologies during the current year, against the current of the energy blockade imposed on the island by the United States government.
