The 'Carlos Manuel de Céspedes' thermoelectric plant in Cienfuegos is slowly making progress in its recovery after months of intermittent activity. This Friday, plant technicians announced the successful completion of tests on the safety valves of Block 3.
“Successful testing of the safety valves of block 3 of the Cienfuegos Thermoelectric Company has been completed... Only the turbine flushing process remains before starting the block,” stated the state-owned company on its social media.
According to the publication, the pressure in the boiler was raised to trigger the valves under technical supervision. After passing the test, the plant's management announced the next stage of recovery, which consists of the "flushing" process: a technical maneuver to clean the piping systems and ensure their operability before synchronizing with the National Electric System (SEN).
Both actions, highlighted through official channels, are part of a narrative that aims to convey the impression of controlled progress towards the recovery of electricity generation capacity.
As the country's energy crisis deepens, the Cuban regime is implementing a communication strategy aimed at creating an appearance of transparency and efficiency.
Chronology of a prolonged crisis
The deterioration of the Cienfuegos thermoelectric plant is not new. In August 2024, the government acknowledged the need to gradually "restore" the plant's generation capacity, already admitting the material and technical limitations that the system faced at that time.
In October, an unexpected departure from the national electrical system was reported, an incident that exacerbated power outages across the country. A month later, in November, the resolution of a fault in Block 4 was announced, but full restoration never materialized.
As 2025 began, the authorities promised that the plant would be operational in the first half of April, raising hopes that would be dashed on January 16, when a major fire severely affected Block 4.
A few days later, it was confirmed that the incident had caused serious damage, forcing the postponement of its reintegration once again.
However, in February, with no solid evidence of recovery, the government of Miguel Díaz-Canel promised a swift reactivation once again, insisting on a narrative of progress that clashed with the harsh reality of the energy crisis.
"Flushing": a new chapter in the strategy of partial ads
The recent announcement of the start of "flushing" fits within this same fragmented communication strategy.
This procedure, which involves the cleaning of hydraulic systems through the circulation of fluids at high pressure, is a necessary technical preparatory phase, but it does not immediately imply effective generation capability.
However, its public disclosure was presented as a significant advancement, reinforcing the impression that active efforts are being made to address the issue.
Just like the testing of the safety valves, the "flushing" was announced in technical and meticulous terms, as part of a series of steps that, when combined, aim to convey the feeling that the reestablishment of the block is imminent.
Curtained information to simulate control
The Cuban regime has opted to control the flow of information regarding the Cienfuegos thermoelectric plant by breaking each stage of the process into multiple announcements: first promises of repairs, then "successful tests," and now intermediate technical procedures.
Ultimately, this tactic seeks to create a perception of constant progress in crisis management.
Meanwhile, the energy situation in the country is worsening. The Unión Eléctrica de Cuba (UNE) reported this Friday a projected generation deficit of 1,800 megawatts (MW) during the peak evening demand. For this Saturday, the estimated blackouts exceed 1,700 MW.
In addition to the damage at the Cienfuegos plant, there are ongoing issues at the Mariel and Felton thermoelectric plants, scheduled maintenance at Santa Cruz and Renté, and serious limitations due to a lack of fuel that are impacting the distributed generation facilities and the Mariel fuel plant.
Although eight solar parks recently began operating, their contribution of 986 MWh barely manages to alleviate the severe structural imbalance between generation and consumption.
The partial recovery of the Cienfuegos thermoelectric plant, communicated in a measured and ceremonial manner, thus becomes a clear reflection of the regime's strategy: to create the appearance of progress where there are hardly any real advancements, in an effort to sustain the official narrative of progress amid the island's prolonged energy crisis.
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