A fire at the Mario Muñoz power plant, located in Los Arabos, Matanzas, caused the loss of 300 tons of bagasse, with which the AzCuba factory generates steam.
The fire started around 2 pm on Sunday, “due to high temperatures”, Orlando Vandrell Cuello, coordinator of the state sugar group in the province.
“The fire spread first through the exterior areas surrounding the plant where the bagasse is concentrated and then inside the bagasse house,” the authorities said. There were no deaths or injuries from the fire, nor did the flames come close to the industry, but it took firefighters several hours to fully extinguish it.
According to experts quoted by the local press, the wind yesterday afternoon had a negative influence on the control of the fire, which was considered to be of medium proportions.
The plant had to stop milling and yesterday was without electricity, a new inconvenience for the current harvest, which is expected to be disastrous. The Mario Muñoz plant is one of the two that remain active in Matanzas this harvest, but it is also the one that delivers the most energy to the national system.
Two months ago, the fire at a thermoelectric plant in Artemisa also had a major impact on the Cuban energy system. The bursting of a turbine caused a large fire that left part of the plant without service.
Two weeks later came the failure of the Antonio Guiteras plant which, when combined with the problems of the previous one, caused an electricity deficit that was attempted to be alleviated with the use of generators, which are high fuel consumers.
The Government, fearing that it would not be enough with what was available, announced limitations on the sale to “ensure public transport”, generating a wave of panic among citizens who ran to stock up, causing a high spike in demand.
In 2019, the authorities announced that with the 56 sugar mills available, enough steam could be generated to carry out production and sell the surplus to the electricity system. According to his calculations, 800 kW per hour would be obtained, adding all the power plants in operation, 15% of the energy would enter that needed system.
However, breakages and failures do not stop occurring and Cubans see another summer of blackouts approaching.
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