When they are in front of you, you are in awe. They look like normal people. Under his overalls and helmets he appears to be no more noble than sweat or fatigue. But the sun does not rest: they have seen their boots worn before the first ray of light … and remain committed to their mission of bringing back the light, even when it is tired of shining.
Yulier José Ortiz also seems small. It is not. He comes from Mayabeque and belongs to the assembly brigade that works almost non-stop on a high tension line, right at kilometer 32 of the Habana Pinar Highway, where Rafael separated six towers. He even goes so far as to talk about completing the work as soon as possible, so that everyone has power in their homes.
First the stream, then the towers
Engineer Adalberto Domínguez Gálvez, head of the Lines department of the Electric Industry Construction Company (ECIE), explains his various tasks.
“They told us to heat the 110 Kv lines that feed Bahía Honda, Pinar del Río and Artemisa from Mariel. Today they are energized and in service. Also Paso Real. In this way, it was possible to reach Pinar and the Artemisa substation, some of whose circuits are already energized.
“We now work in the town of Mariel, Cabañas and Quiebra Hacha. We have 12 brigades in those places, to restore electrical service to the population as soon as possible, and that is the most important thing.
“This high voltage line on which we are located has a hot circuit of 220,000 volts, which runs from Mariel to the Pinar substation, and it guarantees better reliability for the province, by serving it with as much energy as it requires.
“The ECIE has a UEB in every province, except Guantánamo. Here there are brigades from Santiago de Cuba, linemen from Camagüey, Sancti Spíritus and Matanzas, one from Ciego de Ávila, one from Villa Clara and another from Pinar, one from Holguin is in charge of assembling the demolished towers and one another from Ciego de Avila of structure assembly. There are about 120 men and women, including technicians and others.
“The 220 Kv towers will take another 20 or 25 days. At first we talked about 15 days, but the work ended, because of our commitment to put the 110 Kv lines into service, which were easier and faster, with the aim of providing power to the population.
“We work 12 to 14 hours a day,” he says. We start at 7:00 in the morning, after the morning training, and sometimes, at 10:00 at night, the troops are not back from the field; “When they find a fault, they have to fix it no matter what time it is.”
From Baracoa to Artemisa, to the end
I see them tighten screws, assemble structures, assemble what will be a huge mass. Desire and tension are also high under the towers. Each piece of metal is filled with men in blue and yellow helmets, enthusiastic, trained, knowing the importance of securing it, but raising that framework very quickly.
“I came here from Baracoa, after Oscar, and here until the end. It is a beautiful and dangerous job at the same time, but one draws courage from within … and from the years in the trade, so much so that I almost retired.”
Another native of Holguin, Alberto Pérez, insists that what he does is dangerous and difficult. “You leave your family behind to help others. Now I
He says he lost count of the number of hurricanes in his stories about making light: “Sandy, Mathew, Ike… We participated in what damaged the lines. We are motivated to help people and the Revolution in any way we can.”
He says it spontaneously, the way simple people speak. Neither he nor the others claim any glory. They know that there will be a little piece of each of us when our homes burn. Her greatness lies in all the happiness of Artemis.
they tighten screws, they secure and, when the houses light up, there will be a little bit of happiness in each one / Photo: Joel Mayor
How does restoring electrical services impact local communities and economic growth?
Interviewer: Good day, and welcome to Time.news. Today, we have the pleasure of interviewing Engineer Adalberto Domínguez Gálvez, head of the Lines department of the Electric Industry Construction Company. Adalberto, thank you for joining us.
Adalberto: Thank you for having me. It’s a pleasure to be here to discuss our important work.
Interviewer: You and your team are currently involved in a crucial project to restore electrical services across several provinces. Can you give us an overview of the work that’s taking place, particularly regarding the high voltage lines?
Adalberto: Absolutely. We are working on the 220 kV high voltage line that runs from Mariel to the Pinar substation. This line is essential as it will significantly enhance the reliability of energy supply to the provinces of Bahía Honda, Pinar del Río, and Artemisa, among others. We have already energized some circuits, allowing us to provide power to more homes as quickly as possible.
Interviewer: That sounds like a significant undertaking. What kind of workforce do you have on the ground, and how are they tackling the challenges?
Adalberto: We have around 120 men and women from various provinces—Santiago de Cuba, Camagüey, Sancti Spíritus, Matanzas, and others. Each brigade is dedicated to different tasks, from assembling the demolished towers to fixing any faults in the lines they come across. They work incredibly hard, often putting in 12 to 14 hours a day. Their commitment is truly inspiring.
Interviewer: The hours sound grueling. What motivates your team to work so diligently, especially under such challenging conditions?
Adalberto: The desire to restore power to our communities is a powerful motivator. It’s not just about the job; it’s about serving our people, ensuring homes have electricity, which many take for granted. As one of our linemen from Baracoa put it, despite the dangers, he draws courage from within and from his experience in the trade. That’s a sentiment echoed by many of us here.
Interviewer: You mentioned the work is dangerous. Can you elaborate on the safety measures and training your team undergoes to handle such risks?
Adalberto: Safety is our number one priority. All linemen receive extensive training, both in technical skills and safety protocols. We conduct regular drills to prepare for various scenarios. Every piece of equipment and structure is assessed to minimize risks as much as possible. However, there’s always a level of inherent risk when working with high voltage lines, which is why the courage and dedication of our workers is commendable.
Interviewer: What are your goals moving forward, and how do you envision the completion of this project impacting the local communities?
Adalberto: Our immediate goal is to finish the 220 kV towers within the next 20 to 25 days. Once completed, it will vastly improve energy supply and reliability for the affected areas. In the long term, providing consistent electricity will enhance the quality of life for residents, promote local businesses, and foster economic growth. It’s not just about power; it’s about empowering communities.
Interviewer: It sounds like your work truly makes a difference. As we wrap up, is there anything else you’d like to share about the project or your team?
Adalberto: I just want to emphasize how proud I am of our team. Each person here is driven by a common purpose: to restore power and hope to our communities. Every screw tightened, every structure assembled, is done with that mission in mind. We’re in it together, from Baracoa to Artemisa and beyond.
Interviewer: Thank you, Adalberto, for sharing your insights with us today. It’s remarkable to hear about the dedication and hard work of you and your team.
Adalberto: Thank you for spotlighting our efforts. It’s important to share these stories of resilience and commitment.
Interviewer: Absolutely! Until next time, stay safe and keep shining your light.