Posted on 05/08/2006 12:30:52 AM PDT by snowsislander
By Joel Mayor Loran
Cuban President Fidel Castro today handed over the keys of vehicles to two electrical workers representing 101 technicians from Havana’s electricity works. The new Chinese-manufactured motor vehicles will be used in the upgrading of the national electric grid.
This was the first consignment of specialized vehicles which will replace the old fleet of gas guzzling Zil 130 and 131, GAZ and KAMAZ trucks. The Cuban leader explained that though the primary purpose of the vehicles was to conserve electrical power, the new more efficient vehicles will also contribute to fuel savings.
President Fidel Castro described these improvements as being vital for humanity, at a time when the planet is burning 84 million barrels of oil daily —with the United States squandering 22 million of that sum— while potential and proven world reserves have begun to shrink.
In this regard, he added that despite the application of modern technology —which makes oil well drilling and exploration faster, increases the possibilities for reaching deeper and even changing drilling directions, with more sophisticated tankers and off-shore platforms more amazing — there are fewer oil fields left to discover.
In contrast, the Cuban leader pointed out, “Cuba is not waiting for oil to appear like manna from heaven. Instead, it is opting for something more important: energy conservation. This is like discovering a huge oil field,” he stressed.
“The strategy being followed by the country is not limited to producing four million tons of oil annually. A similar amount may be saved by the nation’s electric company,” he stressed.
“We are looking for accompanying natural gas,” he added. “We already have eight rigs drilling for this cheap fuel which will be used to generate electricity; by the second semester there will be 12 such rigs operating. We have purchased generators capable of using this energy. For every million cubic meters in the combined cycle, we can produce some 150,000 Kilowatts, and there is gas available for 320,000,” the Cuban leader noted.
“We still have energy-saving generators to distribute,” he elaborated. “We have yet to distribute 90 percent of the refrigerators which need to be replaced, and almost 100 percent of the air conditioners. Moreover, water pumps for two-story houses and for the water systems of small towns, cities and municipalities will also be replaced. The water pumps currently operating —old, makeshift and often in poor condition— consume ten times more than necessary, though not one of them has been replaced yet.
“We have gradually discovered the mysteries of electricity consumption. Today, at the moment of peak demand, we are consuming 80,000 watts more than in the past. However, after that peak time, consumption falls considerably, and is lower than in previous years. This is very meaningful data which we are obtaining from tests being conducted,” he affirmed.
In this regard, he commented on the soundness of the set of measures adopted in the nation’s “Energy Revolution,” which has led to a reduction of consumption by 2 million kilowatts, despite distribution effects. This represents a savings of more than 600 million tons of oil a day and some $60 million dollars annually.
The Cuban leader made reference to other reserves. He mentioned the 20,000 transformers purchased abroad and announced that efforts are underway to conserve water —not only because of the needs of the public and agriculture production or because a drought hitting the country has imposed it— but also because the electrical power and fuel the water pumps consume.
“We have not hesitated in making the appropriate efforts; the blackouts have diminished, factories are up and working, and hospitals and other institutions have their own power generators,” he explained.
President Fidel Castro commented on the consequences of using kerosene to cook at home. To produce kerosene the country spends 50 million, but there is not enough. Therefore, people started using diesel fuel, intended for trucks and tractors, for crude burners. This is also harmful for people who suffer from asthma or allergies.
Of the vehicles which Cuba purchased, 101 are already in operation, while another 50 are at the airport. A total of 407 are still to be delivered. This new fleet of vehicles will reduce fuel wastage significantly, achieving efficiencies of 14 kilometres per litre of fuel, compared to the old ZILs which could only travel 1.6 kilometres per litre.
The earlier vehicles were used for tasks inappropriate for their capacity. The new ones are smaller and less troublesome. The acquisition of modern Great Wall vehicles, from the Popular Republic of China, ends the large variety of car brands in Cuba, up to 230 different models; something which complicated the supply of spare parts.
Fidel Castro congratulated the electrical workers, saying they were brave men. He praised them for their activity and will to face long working hours away from their homes and in other provinces hit by hurricanes. He cited their efficiency in repairing the national distribution system, setting-up of power generators and connecting local power plants to the grid.
“They will have all the resources necessary to guarantee the country’s maximum protection. They will have the necessary tools, of the top quality. They will do their jobs while the system is still working, live; the response time to breakdowns will also be faster, affecting the public as little as possible. And we will train new electrical workers,” said President Fidel Castro.
Antonio Pias Gomez, the distribution director of the national electric company, explained that renovating the national distribution system not only guarantees better service, but will also reduce energy losses. In addition, he mentioned the number of posts, transformers and breakers already installed – all of them in record numbers.
Also speaking at the ceremony was Vicente de la O, director general of the Union Electrica national electric company, and Zhao Rongxian, the ambassador of the People’s Republic of China. Those present included Carlos Lage Davila, secretary of Cuba’s Executive Committee of the Council of Ministers; Pedro Saez, first secretary of the Communist Party in Havana; and Yadira Garcia, minister of Basic Industry —all of them members of the Political Bureau— in addition to Ivan Ordaz, the first secretary of the Communist Party of Havana province.
Interesting. While this is a poorly written article (for instance, it states This represents a savings of more than 600 million tons of oil a day and some $60 million dollars annually and Cuba is certainly not using 600 million tons of oil per day, nor is "PRC" short for the "Popular Republic of China" as in the highlighted area of paragraph 14), the PRC is apparently following through with its promises of "cooperation."
Cuban-Chinese Bond Emboldens Castro (http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1548405/posts)
Good article, and I (like you I suspect) doubt that the slave laborers think there is anything very "popular" about the ChiComs and their worker's paradise.
Of course if Castro really wanted to show his compassion for his people (laugh-chuckle-snort), he could have bought those glorified golf carts himself, tapping into his own recently estimated worth of ONE BILLION DOLLARS.
Why, that figure is almost (*gasp*) CAPITALIST!
Heh.
The US isn't squandering it. We produce 25% of the world's GDP with that oil. Squandering it is investing in a Communist sinkhole like Cuba.
It's all one world now. How long before we are investing tax dollars in every country in the world?
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