The recovery of the National Electric System is a top priority of the Ministry of Energy and Mines, due to the transversality of this activity in all sectors of the economy.
This was stated by the member of the Political Bureau of the Party and Prime Minister, Manuel Marrero Cruz, at the annual work meeting of the organism, held yesterday at the Plenary Hall of the Palace of the Revolution.
In the presence of the First Secretary of the Party Central Committee and President of the Republic, Miguel Díaz-Canel Bermúdez, the Prime Minister insisted on the need to boost savings, since, despite the low availability of electricity, demand continues to be very high, with a tendency to increase.
He also stressed the need to advance in the use of renewable energy sources without neglecting other forms of generation.
Marrero Cruz referred to the negotiations to recapitalize and bring the country’s four refineries to their maximum exploitation point, as well as to increase the production of domestic crude oil for export and electricity generation.
WHAT WILL HAPPEN TO THE ELECTRICITY GENERATION SYSTEMS IN 2025?
Alfredo López Valdés, General Director of the Electric Union, explained that for this year the following is planned:
Conclude the assembly and commissioning of capacities to generate 1,200 megawatts (MW) in photovoltaic solar parks, with 200 MW of accumulation throughout the country.
Complete the maintenance of units 3 and 4 of the Carlos Manuel de Céspedes thermoelectric power plant (CTE) in Cienfuegos; unit 2 of the Ernesto Guevara CTE in Santa Cruz del Norte; and unit 5 of the Antonio Maceo CTE in Santiago de Cuba.
Secure financing and put into effect the contract for the recovery of unit 2 of CTE Lidio Ramón Pérez de Felton, in Holguín, affected by a major fire in 2022.
Ensure the financing and execution of capital maintenance at CTE Antonio Guiteras, in Matanzas.
Recover 850 MW of availability in distributed generation: 520 MW in diesel-based engines, and 330 MW in those running on fuel oil.
Progress in the construction of the Herradura I wind farm in Las Tunas, where 22 of the 33 generators planned have been installed, representing 33 MW.
RESULTS AND WORK PROJECTIONS
Argelio Jesús Abad Vigoa, First Deputy Minister of Energy and Mines, while presenting the work results derived from the President of the Republic’s indications in the balance corresponding to 2023, specified that, out of the ten recommendations, four have been fulfilled and six are in process.
He pointed out that, as regards the installation of small photovoltaic systems, mainly for pumping water to supply water to the population and for irrigation, 804 of the 1,071 that have been imported have been installed.
He detailed that all the refined crude oil has been processed, although the processing levels of the industry have not yet been reached.
For his part, Vicente de la O Levy, head of Minem, summarized the main negative impacts of the sector in the previous year, marked by the fuel deficit, the withdrawal of five floating power plants, the shortage of liquefied petroleum gas, and the deterioration of the facilities for electricity generation.
He affirmed that many variables converge in the above, one of them is our own weakness, but the one that has the greatest impact is the intensified blockade imposed by the U.S. government.
DEVELOPMENT OF DIGITAL GOVERNMENT
Regarding the implementation and management of Digital Government strategies, executives stated that progress is being made in the creation of platforms and systems for the management of processes in the Top Management Business Organizations, as well as in the reinforcement of cybersecurity in critical entities.
Regarding the use of electronic payment channels for the commercialization of services, it was reported that more than three million customers regularly make their electricity payments through the EnZona and Transfermóvil gateways. In addition, last year, 76.1 % of the service billing was collected in this way.
The collection management for liquefied gas and manufactured gas services is also tending to increase through these channels.
This working meeting was also attended by the Deputy Prime Ministers, Commander of the Revolution Ramiro Valdés Menéndez and Ricardo Cabrisas Ruiz, as well as other ministers.