Díaz-Canel Visits Paso Seco Water Supply Source, a Strategic Hub for Pumping Water to Havana

The Paso Seco supply source, a strategic point for water delivery primarily to Havana's southern and central areas, is undergoing major maintenance and recovery work. The efforts follow instructions from President Miguel Díaz-Canel Bermúdez to sustain water pumping amid the national energy crisis resulting from the U.S. government blockade and fuel embargo.

The Head of State arrived in the Boyeros municipality on Thursday to review on-site strategies aimed at ensuring water distribution to nearly two million capital residents during prolonged blackouts. Specialists from Water Resources, the Unión Eléctrica, the Revolutionary Armed Forces, and other state entities are repairing deteriorated equipment, transmission lines, and motors to enhance backup power for the facility.

Rubén Campos Olmo, Director General of Unión Eléctrica, stated that backup generators will be deployed within the next 72 hours to ensure continuous pumping during power grid failures. While current recovery efforts rely on diesel generators, long-term plans involve installing solar panels across Havana's pumping stations.

Progress on the BESS Habana 220 Project

President Díaz-Canel also visited the Habana 220 Battery Energy Storage System (BESS), one of four 50 MW installations designed to provide a combined 200 MW of storage capacity nationwide. Located near the Technological University of Havana (CUJAE), the facility uses lithium battery technology primarily for grid frequency regulation and black-start support during system collapses.

Electrical site manager Manuel Alejandro Soler Sánchez explained that the system will mitigate Automatic Frequency Load Shedding (DAF) events and balance power fluctuations from photovoltaic solar parks. The electrical and technical assembly is scheduled for completion by September 30, with full online integration expected by October 30.

State-Owned SME Servivip Demonstrates Social and Economic Impact

The presidential tour concluded in the Cotorro municipality with a visit to Servivip, a state-owned enterprise (SME) under the Water and Sanitation Business Management Organization. Founded in 2021, Servivip handles interior plumbing repairs, garbage collection, wastewater evacuation, and over 80 percent of Havana's water truck distribution.

Director Víctor Janier Jara Jorge presented the company's operational results, noting its 88 employees and average monthly salary exceeding 48,000 pesos. The President highlighted Servivip's model—including its corporate social responsibility initiatives supporting local senior centers and maternal homes—as an example to be replicated across the National Institute of Water Resources.