The Felton thermoelectric plant is ready to start up

The National Electric Union (UON) reported that the National Electric System (SEN) has been fully interconnected from Pinar del Rio to Guantanamo. And that block one of the Lidio Ramón Pérez Thermoelectric Power Plant (CTE) in Felton, located in the Holguin municipality of Mayari, is ready to begin the startup process. After power was restored to the 110-kilovolt busbars. This step marks the beginning of the normalization of the plant’s electrical systems.

Víctor Hugo González Quiala, acting director, explained that specialists are currently carrying out the necessary actions to restore all the systems involved in starting the unit. This initial process should take approximately two hours. During which time the electrical systems are reviewed and normalized before the equipment is put into service.

Once this stage is complete, the plant requires between one and one and a half hours to activate the main equipment and begin the boiler ignition process. Subsequently, the complete startup of the machine. Until it achieves synchronization with the National Electric System (SEN), can take between five and six hours.

González Quiala indicated that the load increase after synchronization will be carried out gradually. In coordination with the national and provincial dispatch centers. With the goal of progressively energizing the necessary circuits while the turbine safely assumes the load.

The executive emphasized that, before startup, specialists reviewed all the unit’s parameters and systems. Detecting no issues that would compromise the turbine’s operation. However, he clarified that the machine’s actual performance can only be confirmed during the commissioning process. Especially after a major event affecting the national electrical system.

During this period, technical interventions were also carried out to reinforce the plant’s operational safety. These included the repair of a leak in the RA21 boiler’s blowdown valve and the resolution of leaks detected in the air preheaters. Work that included subsequent testing to ensure the systems’ watertightness.

Joel Queipo Ruíz, member of the Central Committee of the Communist Party and First Secretary in Holguin. He toured the plant and stated that since the moment the National Electric System was affected. Constant communication has been maintained with the country’s leadership to coordinate recovery efforts. In this context, the province implemented electrical micro-islands to ensure service to hospitals and water systems. While prioritizing the restoration of generation at Felton.

Queipo Ruíz emphasized the mobilization and commitment of the thermoelectric plant’s workers. Also who are maintaining intense technical activity to comply with all established protocols and guarantee a safe restart process.

The leader added that the current strategy seeks to move forward steadily to avoid setbacks in the recovery of the National Electric System. In this regard, it is anticipated that the unit will be able to synchronize during the early hours of Monday morning. Provided there are no technical setbacks and the system remains stable.

The addition of the Felton plant represents a significant contribution to the country’s electricity generation. At a time when the National Electric System needs to strengthen its stability and supply capacity.

With information from Emilio Rodriguez Pupo/Radio Mayari

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