MISSION AND RESPONSIBILITY:
Provide assistance and advise in civil and military engineering sciences
to the Chairman, Vice-Chairmen and Chief of Staff of
CAMCO and other officials requiring such information.
Implement and
supervise the plan to assist in the recovery of the
nation infrastructure.
Implement definite
measures to be carried out during the transitional period
in coordination with the nationalęs engineers.
EXISTING
REALITY OF THE BASIC INFRASTRUCTURE:
The basic infrastructure, such as Electrical
Energy, Telecommunication,
Transportation, Water
and Sewer Facilities, Housing,
etc., obtained or assisted in the construction and/or
maintenance by the Soviet Union or East European countries,
was greatly inferior to what was available in the Western
markets, and in particular was highly inefficient and
highly wasteful of fuel.
The level of the future investment on a democratic nation needed in industry
and infrastructure in general, will depend on factors
such as age and appropriateness of the installed technology
and the degree to which the installations have deteriorated
as a result of recent neglect. However, basic, tangible
infrastructure will need to be overhauled at all levels.
REALITY OF THE ELECTRIC ENERGY:
All the electric energy generation, the government, under the Empresa
Eléctrica Cubana, controls transmission and distribution
in Cuba, which is part of the Ministry of Basic Industries.
Presently, the system has a maximum generating
capacity of 3,500 Mwatts. However, due to several factors
that will be explained later in this section, the real
generating capacity is only 1,200 Mwatts.
Approximately 95% of these plants use oil as fuel. The industry employs
29,000 persons, of which, 1,100 are engineers, and 4,000
are technicians.
In 1989, a year used as reference for many industrial
and economic comparisons, the electrical energy demand
in Cuba was 2,500 Mwatts, distributed as follows: 60%
for the industrial sector; 8% for the commercial sector;
4% for the agricultural sector; and 25% for domestic
usage. The rest is miscellaneous. The demand, in 2000,
is down to 950 Mwatts, mainly due to the almost standstill
of the industrial sector, as well as a low in the agricultural
and domestic usage. There are 46 units in operation,
located in 20 different sites. Only 30% of the units
are classified as of high efficiency. According to the
type of fuel used,
94
% use fuel #6, and 5% use fuel #2. The equipment
comes from the United States, Russia, Eslovaquia, Germany,
France, Japan, and Italy.
Transmission voltage is 110Kv and 220Kv. A 220Kv network interconnects
the country. The transmission cables are ACSR 150mm.
The transmission structures are of concrete, for the
110Kv lines, and metal for the 220Kv.
The distribution lines are 4.16Kv, and 13.8Kv,
60Hz. The wires for distribution are of 150mms, 70mms,
and 35 mms, ACSR. Almost all distribution is overhead,
except some pre 1959 underground in La Habana. The average
service time of the operating units is 25 years. Some
of the units have over 50 years in service. The newest
units were installed in Matanzas, Cienfuegos, and Felton
with Japanese and French technology, and the latter
from the Eslovaquian Republic.
Cuba consumed 13 million tons of oil in 1989,of which, 40 million barrels,
some 7 million tons were for the generation of electricity.
In 1999, Cuba consumed, for all needs, not only to generate
electricity, 6.3 million tons. Of these, 1.2 million
are domestic oil, not suitable to be used in the generation
of electricity because of its high content of sulphur,
approximately 9%.
RECOMMENDATION FOR THE RECOVERY
OF THE ELECTRIC ENERGY:
In order for
a nation to have an adequate economic development, it
must have enough capacity of generating electric energy.
In democratic Cuba, this figure can be estimated
at 3,900 Mwatts for the first 3 years. This capacity
must double in 10 years.
In fact, in 5 years from the reconstruction period,
the objective must be to have 350 watts per person.
The present average cost of construction or reconstruction
of power plants is $900 per Kwatt. The estimate is then
an investment of $1,500 millions in the first five years
in plants. To this figure, we must add an additional
investment of $650 millions in five years for the construction
and reconstruction of all transmission and distribution
systems.
During the first
year, emergency units must be installed through the
country, since the industrial and construction activities
will need immediate energy supply.
It is very difficult to assign a dollar amount
to the total investment of these units, since they will
vary from small to large units, using oil, propane and
diesel fuel. The typical average cost for portable units
is from $250/Kwatt to $950/Kwatt.
REALITIES OF TELECOMMUNICATIONS
Telecommunications is not only one of the most important areas of infrastructure
for the future of Cuba, but one where investment and
development will be most needed. In the last 30 years
we have seen a real revolution in the world in telecommunications
technology, and one where Cuba has not been part of
fiber optics, satellites, wireless phones, digital switching,
computer networking, Internet, electronic mail, faxes,
interactive TV, just to name a few, are some of the
most recent technological breakthroughs.
In 1959 Cuba had 15 telephone lines per 100 inhabitants. Presently, in
1999, there are many countries in the world with less
than 15 lines per 100 inhabitants. In 1999, Cuba has
3.5 lines per 100 persons. However is not only a drastic
reduction in quantity, but the existing lines and systems
are not suitable for the speed, bandwidth, and applications
of modern telecommunications. There are approximately
1,500 engineers working in the telecommunications industry
in Cuba.
Of the 500,000
telephone lines existing in Cuba, approximately 200,000
are in La Habana. The telephone switching equipment
is a combination of crossbar, step‑by‑step,
and a small digital switch, some 1,200 lines serving
certain areas of La Habana. Local networks consist of
copper and lead feeder and distribution cables whose
average age is approximately 30 years. Except in certain
areas of La Habana, cables are pole mounted. These cables
require, but do not receive, high maintenance, due to
age and exposure to elements.
Long distance
service is provided by a combination of crossbar switching
systems and cord boards. Direct distance dial within
the island is made possible by the crossbar toll tandem
network. Interoffice facilities in the local networks
are served by copper based digital carrier system, of
Japanese and German technology conforming to CCITT standards.
The toll network is served by a combination of a microwave
backbone and a coaxial carrier system. Assignment and
maintenance practices are similar to the techniques
employed in the United States in the early 70s, which
require at least 4 times the labor force as current
methods.
The microwave network has a capacity
of 960 channels, and it links La Habana with the old
province capitals.
The coaxial cable system has a capacity of 1920
channels, a mixture of Soviet and German technology.
The cable runs by the 8-lane highway, all the way to
Cabaiguán, and then follows the old highway Central
to Santiago.
There are two satellite systems in service the
Intel sat, an automatic Japanese system with 24 channels,
and the Intel‑Sputnik, a Russian manual system
with 60 channels. There is also, since the 90, a small
cellular service system, for tourists and businessmen.
The system is a mixed venture of the Cuban government
with a Mexican firm.
RECOMMENDATION
TO RECOVER THE TELECOMMUNICATION SYSTEM:
The current value of the equipment in Cuba is calculated at $230 millions.
The estimated capital requirements for implementation
of a telecommunications system in a post Castro Cuba
are $2.9 billion in five years. The analysis assumes
the achievement of 15 lines per 100 persons at the end
of five years. The typical breakdown of costs are: Central
Office Equipment, 30 %; Outside Plant Feeder, 30%; Outside
Plant Distribution, 10%; Central Office facilities,
15 %; Toll Network, 15% or, approximately $1,700 millions
in Central Offices, and $1,200 millions in Outside Plant.
CAMCO
Engineering Division recommends that: during
the transition period, a cellular telephone system must
be established to provide instant domestic and international
communications. The initial investment for such a system
is estimated at $450 millions.
REALITIES
OF THE TRANSPORTATION SYSTEM:
Highway Transportation
The infrastructure of the highway
transportation system is relatively in good condition.
The island has 400 miles of highways, 31,500
miles of arterial paved roads and 22,187 miles of rock
road and 9,550 miles of railroad tract, with a unique
opportunity for cargo transportation.
A strong road system with good access to ports
and major production centers is in place today.
Marine
Transportation
The lack of improvements in this sector has been particular pronounced.
The maritime industry is not able to content
with and increased cargo volume and port traffic which
would result from a political transition to democracy,
the balance and rapid modernization of the island's
10 mayor ports, shipping and warehouse facilities will
be a crucial factor in the success of any comprehensive
reconstruction program. The port of Habana handle 50%
of all cargo passing through a canal with 42 feet at
low tide, with capacity to handle containers.
Air
Transportation
Cuba has five International Airports, seventeen National Airports equipped
with automatic directional finder (ADF) and tree hundred
Agricultural airports all asphalted, equipped with field
base operator (FBO) and fuel facilities, the agricultural
airports are for daily use only and are reflected on
OACI maps. All airports are in general good condition.
In addition, ten strategically located military airports
all of wish have substantial runway, could be easily
converted to civilian International Airports.
The San Antonio de los Baños military
airport, should be connected by an arterial highway
to Havana, only 20 miles away, this airport is as large
as the old Homestead Air Force Base in Florida.
We
believe
that
Cubana
de
Aviación
is
unsafe,
and we are concerns about maintenance, spare parts and
the state of the airline's planes, some of which are
vintage Soviet‑era Ilyushin aircraft.
Cubana aircraft have experienced several serious accidents in the past
18 months. On Dec. 21, 1999, a Cubana‑leased DC‑10
crashed on a runway in Guatemala City, killing 25 people.
Four days later, a Russian‑built Yak‑42
Cubana plane crashed about 90 miles west of Caracas,
in Valencia, killing all 22 people on board.
Also, in September,
a Cubana pilot died of a heart attack while commanding
a flight between Bogotá, Colombia, and Havana.
His copilot took charge of the flight, with 155
people on board, and successfully landed it in Barranquilla
in northern Colombia.
U.S.
officials are partially stymied in their ability to
assess Cuban airworthiness because the U.S. embargo
on Cuba prohibits Cubana aircraft from entering the
United States, meaning the Federal Aviation Administration
has no access to the airline's records or data to independently
track maintenance activity.
Ironically, the
same advisory issued by the State Department said that
the FAA recently completed an information exchange with
Cuba's Civil Aviation Authority and found that the four
Cuban airports served by U.S.‑based charters have
suitable security procedures that meet the standards
of the International Civil Aviation Organization. The
four airports are José Martí International
in Havana, and smaller airports in Holguín, Camagôey,
and Santiago de Cuba.
REALITY OF WATER AND SANITATION:
Two important services in a Democratic Cuba will be water and sanitation
industries. The water and sewer services infrastructures
should be dealt with the objectives of addressing the
initial short-term emergency relief program of basic
assistance during the initial transition government,
and the long-term relief program needed to initiate
Cubaęs economic revival.
Very little has been done concerning water and sewer systems since 1959,
taking into consideration that the population has doubled
since then. No maintenance has been given to plants, distribution,
collection and transmission systems, and patch‑up
work is done when absolutely necessary.
United States
manufactured treatment plants have been repaired using
parts from the former Eastern Block, making this maintenance
a headache. A zone distribution system is now in effect
since no continuous overall supply can be given. Zones
get service at different times as a result of the system
deterioration.
Since all components are so updated and in disrepair,
short range considerations are very difficult.
The
bulk of the water and sewer facilities in the urban areas
of Cuba have an average life of 70 years. The useful life
of water distribution and sewer lines is universally accepted
at 50 years, and only when reliable maintenance has been
provided. The country, due to the mixing of drinking water
and raw water caused faster distribution line deterioration.
The waste from sewer lines, which is flowing along the
gutters of the streets, creates a health hazard.
RECOMMENDATION TO RECOVER
WATER AND SEWER SYSTEMS:
The recommendations
to improve this infrastructure can be divided into two
parts: water distribution systems; sewage treatment and
disposal. Water distribution represents an emergency and
should be planned and handled in two stages. One, the
emergency task. The other, permanent facilities. The emergency
task shall be considered as the level of work to provide
the minimum essential volume of water consumption and
still maintain a degree of health protection. Water treatment
is essential and permanent facilities should be initiated
from the beginning.
This is an infrastructure,
which is very difficult to have an accurate estimate of
the capital needed to rebuild the entire system. However,
it can be estimated, as an approximation, to be $1,100
millions in the first five years, including aqueducts,
transmission and distribution systems, water treatment
plants, and sewer lines.
SOME
KEY ISSUES ABOUT THE ECOLOGY IN CUBA
Author: Mario Puy,
Naturpaz
Exclusive for CAMCO's Engineers
During many years, speaking about the ecology has been
a taboo and it was only brought in without the intervention
of the government. The priorities set in Europe and in
America were not the same in Cuba. The Cubans do not show
interest on the ozone layer, cleaning the seawater or
the air quality degradation. Many Cubans agree that the
economic situation is the first priority.
There are not regulations that require the installation
of catalytic converters in automobiles to lower the carbon
monoxide and smoke emissions. The government has never
enacted any regulation whatsoever for mobile sources emissions
control.
The environmental degradation is evident in the Almendares
river, a Cuban insignia, during the last few years. Many
Havana citizens have been raised in the surrounding of
the river and others have found its forest a comfortable
place to hide from the sun rays. The contamination of
the river has been as bad as the architectural deterioration
of the Havana city during the last few years. Around a
half a dozen of industries discharge the effluents in
the Almedares river. You identify yourself as being in
the river area by the foul smell of the water of the river.
Osmani Munoz, Director of the Forestry Institute has said
that there is not budget set aside to treat the water
of the Almendares river. On the other hand, the population
is increasing in the surroundings of the river. These
people are called "without land," they are classified
as emigrants from the provinces. They have come to Havana
city to escape from the scarcity and hunger and looking
for better life conditions. They build their houses with
pieces of wood, paperboard, nylon, etc.
There is a judicial program managed by the government.
This program prohibits toxic discharge without an environmental
permit, but the industries such as breweries and paper
mills keep discharging contaminants in the Almendares
river.
The government does not take care of the natural resources
and this is shown in the "Parque de la Fraternidad"
( Fraternity Park). This park was abandoned for many years
and it was renovated for the celebration of the IX Iberoamerican
Summit that was held in Havana, Cuba. The majority of
the city parks are abandoned and they are used for dumping
wastes.
The city of Havana has dirty streets and its forestry
is deteriorating as well.
The environmentalists concentrate their efforts toward
the conservation of the environment in the city of Havana,
although there is evidence of environmental deterioration
in other parts of the island.
The Havana bay constitutes one of the most contaminated
bays of the world.
The international tourism is a major contributor of the
environmental degradation of the island. The travel agencies
advertise ecotourism programs in which the visitors are
in contact with the nature and the tourism oriented to
the health industry.
The Carolina del Norte borders and its natural resources
were altered by the development of the tourist industry,
which is banned to the Cuban citizens. The construction
of the bridges that connect Cayo Coco and Cayo Santa Maria
with the northern portion of Ciego de Avila province destroyed
one of the most important coral reefs of the world.
The forestry occupies about 21.5% of the national territory.
The destruction of the forestry has affected the Cuban
parrot species such as tocorro, carpinteri, ferminea,
siju platanero, grulla, cabrito de la cienaga, gallinuela
y el chipojo de Santo Tomas. One of the majors harvests
of the world of pino caribea tree (pino macho) is at risk
due to similar reasons.
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