• Submitted by: admin
• Science and Technology
• 06 / 21 / 2009

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Cuba has built some 700 biogas plants as new energy sources to develop an efficient and sustainable energy model in the island, an energy expert said on Friday.

Cuba, will continue to build biogas plants and to use the energy at rural houses as an ideal way to save fuel and protect the environment, said Mario Alberto Arrastia, an energy expert from Cubaenergia, an energy information center.

According to research data, Cuba has the potential to produce biogas exceeding 400 million cubic meters per year. It could generate electric power of 85 megawatts.

Experts said that saving oil in Cuba might reach the 190,000 tons a year and three tons of carbon dioxide would not reach the atmosphere in a year.

Cuban western provinces Pinar del Rio, Havana City and Havana have the best conditions for biogas development in Cuba.

Biogas is mainly used in Cuba to cook foods, but also generates electricity used in the homes. The use of biogas in Cuba started to grow in 1980, with devices with new technologies.

Havana City, the provinces of Havana and Pinar del Rio, all located in the west of the island, have most potentials of biogas, which generates energy from the remains of sugar and coffee industries.

Cuba began to use biogas in 1940 and the usage increased since 1980 after anaerobic digesters with floating hoods and fixed domes were introduced.

Source: Xinhua