The Cuban government has found a new scapegoat to explain the widespread blackouts plaguing the population daily: the theft of oil from electrical transformers.
A report from Canal Caribe claims that the theft of this lubricant causes significant damage to the infrastructure, leading to prolonged outages that leave neighborhoods and communities without electricity for over 24 hours at times.
"When these thefts occur at substations and the oil is stolen from a 4,000 KVA transformer, it causes around 5,000 customers to lose service," said Israel Ramos, a specialist from the Unión Eléctrica (UNE).
Initially, the thefts were confined to equipment at electrical substations, but now they are being reported in distribution transformers installed on columns and poles. These transformer failures complicate the restoration of service.
"The incidents that have been occurring recently have reduced our reserves, and we no longer have backup transformers," noted Ramos.
In such cases, alternatives must be sought in other provinces, delaying solutions and leaving customers without service. "Last week in the town of Zulueta in Villa Clara, residents were without service for about three days," he added.
The provinces most affected by these crimes include Matanzas, Ciego de Ávila, Artemisa, and Mayabeque. In Mayabeque, a raid occurred at the Nazareno substation in the San José de las Lajas municipality, where five thieves were caught in the act and had to flee, leaving behind a car, a cellphone, and several 20-liter tanks.
They were later arrested and are currently in provisional detention, facing charges of sabotage, with potential sentences ranging from seven to 15 years in prison.
In June, UNE specialists also mentioned on state television that the stolen oil is used as fuel for tractors and diesel vehicles. According to the report, each ton of dielectric oil costs over $3,200, and if a 2,500 KVA transformer is permanently damaged, the equipment's value is $50,000.
Officials have warned about the dangers these thefts pose to the thieves themselves, due to the high voltage (34,500 V) at the substations where these crimes occur. Contact with energized parts in the substation can have fatal consequences, necessitating that only specialized personnel work there.
FAQs on Transformer Oil Theft and Blackouts in Cuba
In light of the recent transformer oil thefts and subsequent blackouts in Cuba, here are some frequently asked questions to provide more insights into the situation.
Why is the theft of transformer oil causing blackouts?
The theft of transformer oil leads to significant damage to the electrical infrastructure, causing transformers to fail and resulting in prolonged outages that leave communities without electricity.
Which areas in Cuba are most affected by these thefts?
The provinces most affected are Matanzas, Ciego de Ávila, Artemisa, and Mayabeque, with significant incidents reported in towns like Zulueta in Villa Clara.
What are the risks for the thieves stealing transformer oil?
Thieves face severe risks, including fatal consequences, due to the high voltage (34,500 V) at the substations where the oil is stolen. Only specialized personnel should handle such high-voltage equipment.