Images released this past Friday reveal the aftermath of a fire at the Ernesto Guevara de la Serna Thermal Power Plant in Santa Cruz del Norte, Mayabeque. The blaze, originating in the morning, impacted Unit 1 of the facility but was reportedly extinguished without any human casualties, according to local authorities.
State broadcaster Radio Jaruco reported that by 10:24 a.m., the fire had been brought under control, sharing photos that depicted the plant’s condition following the incident.
The fire reportedly began due to an oil leak at the front of Unit 1's rotor, as per information gathered by La Voz del Litoral's press team. Fortunately, the on-duty operator noticed the anomaly, allowing safety protocols to be activated promptly to ensure worker safety.
Radio Jaruco credited the swift action of emergency response teams for extinguishing the flames and confirmed that no human lives were lost in the incident.
Meanwhile, the Ministry of Energy and Mines announced on the social media platform X that the situation in Unit 1 had been stabilized. "Fire controlled in Unit 1 at CTE Santa Cruz. No injuries reported," the ministry declared.
Following the fire's containment, the affected area was kept under preventive surveillance, while Units 2 and 3 were being readied to resume operations, according to updates from Radio Jaruco.
The broadcaster did not detail the extent of the material damage nor specify how long Unit 1 would remain inactive, though the images showed significant damage to the structure and its covering.
Earlier, at 9:20 a.m., Radio Jaruco had issued a preliminary update indicating the fire's inception around 6:30 a.m. This information was sourced from a phone conversation with Amparo Álvarez, director of La Voz del Litoral, who noted that the flames were still present but beginning to diminish due to the firefighters' efforts.
The firefighting operation included personnel from the Santa Cruz del Norte Fire Department, supported by teams from other municipalities in Mayabeque. Provincial ambulances were also on standby, and measures were enacted to protect the workers.
The incident occurred at a particularly challenging time for Cuba's electricity generation capacity, with several thermal power units offline and insufficient resources to meet national demand.
According to the Electric Union's (UNE) report, as of 6:00 a.m., the National Electric System (SEN) had only 740 megawatts (MW) available against a demand of 2,260 MW, resulting in a 1,540 MW shortfall due to insufficient generation capacity.
The UNE projected that during peak demand hours, availability would remain at 740 MW against a demand of 2,900 MW, predicting a deficit of 2,160 MW and an estimated impact of 2,190 MW.
The Ernesto Guevara de la Serna power plant, built with Soviet technology and completed in 1991, comprises three generating units with a combined installed capacity of roughly 295 MW. The plant's equipment has suffered from frequent breakdowns throughout 2026, with Unit 1 experiencing previous disruptions, including turbine regulation system failures.
Understanding the Santa Cruz Power Plant Incident
What caused the fire at the Santa Cruz Power Plant?
The fire was caused by an oil leak at the front of the rotor in Unit 1.
Were there any casualties due to the fire?
No human casualties were reported as a result of the fire.
How did the authorities manage to extinguish the fire?
The fire was extinguished through the quick action of emergency response teams and the implementation of safety protocols.
What impact did the fire have on Cuba's electricity supply?
The fire added to the existing challenges faced by Cuba's electricity generation, with several power units already offline and a significant gap between supply and demand.