Despite being spared the direct onslaught of Hurricane Rafael, the province of Pinar del Río finds itself in darkness due to the collapse of multiple power lines serving its municipalities. As a result, the commencement of the school year, originally scheduled for Monday, November 11, may be delayed unless this issue is resolved. Local authorities have highlighted the critical state of this westernmost Cuban province.
Yamilé Ramos Cordero, secretary of the Communist Party in the area, emphasized, "Classes will begin on November 11 in #PinardelRío ONLY IF the electricity service is restored," effectively making the resumption of the Cuban academic term contingent on the return of power.
Efforts and Challenges in Restoring Power
The Provincial Government of Pinar del Río shared via Facebook that addressing the blackout involves resolving "the disruptions from Havana to Mariel and from there to Artemisa, to reconnect with our province, which is currently underway."
Iosvany Siles, the Technical Director of the Electrical Company in Pinar del Río, proposed an alternative: the province could receive electricity through two 110 KV lines, a strategy previously employed. He referenced the 2008 recovery process after Hurricanes Gustav and Ike, when the high-voltage line (220 KV) took months to restore, yet service was maintained via the 110 KV lines.
Temporary Solutions and Long-Term Goals
The authorities clarified, "The 220 KV connection offers greater reliability and quality of service; efforts will be made to restore it as soon as possible. Meanwhile, the 110 KV lines provide access to the National Electrical System."
They concluded by reminding the people of Pinar del Río that patience is required, as the task is highly complex, meticulous, and hazardous for those involved. "The damages are significant," they acknowledged.
Nationwide Educational Plans Amidst Challenges
Last Thursday, Cuba's Ministry of Education (MINED) announced that classes would resume on November 11 in the western and central provinces. In a statement on Facebook, MINED noted that the timing considers the recovery phase of the provinces of Mayabeque, Artemisa, Havana, Pinar del Río, and the special municipality of Isla de la Juventud, as well as the return to normal operations from Matanzas to Ciego de Ávila.
The devastation caused by Hurricane Rafael, with winds reaching up to 175 km/h, included the toppling of six high-tension towers on the Havana-Artemisa highway, compounding the challenges of restoring the nation's power supply.