Serones II Solar Park Contributes to Cuba's National Power Grid

The Serones II photovoltaic solar park, located in the municipality of Mayarí, Holguín province, is now supplying five megawatts (MW) to the National Electric System (SEN). It is the first power plant donated by the People's Republic of China to Cuba to achieve synchronization.

Executed by the companies Vértice Design and Engineering and the Electric Company as the investor, the project began with civil works in April and completed assembly in record time, in accordance with the proposed schedule, contractor Luis Manuel Guerrero Díaz told the ACN. The entity was responsible for the comprehensive management of the project, which included hiring builders, managing supplies, assembling the 348 structures that contain the connection boxes—essential for power distribution—and the installation of over nine thousand solar panels.

Despite initial setbacks that affected the foundation work, identified as a critical path, and land drilling, which was limited by resources, the incorporation of three additional teams allowed for the acceleration of the casting of more than four thousand foundations and overcoming the initial delay, he explained.

A key factor for the swift conclusion was the implementation of innovative solutions, among them the assembly of the panel support structures from the warehouse for their subsequent transfer and final installation. This approach allowed for the completion of that task in just 21 days, in addition to ensuring inventory control and preventing the loss of parts.

Although the team lacked prior experience in the assembly of photovoltaic farms, the formation of a trained group and the collaboration of other organizations facilitated the process, commented Guerrero Díaz.

The materialization of Serones II involved around 260 workers, including eight brigades from the Military Construction Union and personnel from companies such as the Maintenance and Repair of Machines, Tools, and Equipment company, who participated in the electrical work. They are currently working on the construction of an access road that will connect all areas of the site, from the highway to the entrance, and which includes an emergency route, he added.

Furthermore, he indicated that they are also working on the Serones I project, located near the already synchronized park. With the same generation capacity, it will be the first to include batteries; the land clearing work has already begun, which is more than 70 percent complete, preparing for the installation of the perimeter fence.

The province of Holguín now has three operational solar parks totaling 21.8 MW. These are joined by La Caridad, in Rafael Freyre, which is already supplying energy, and El Cocal, in the municipality of Urbano Noris, with a capacity of 10 MW. These are also part of the Chinese government project that will allow for the generation of 120 MW in the country.