Amidst a severe energy crisis marked by frequent and widespread blackouts, Cuba's government has linked the La Barbarita solar photovoltaic park in Consolación del Sur, Pinar del Río, to the National Electric System (SEN) as of this past Saturday. This development comes after nearly five months of construction and is being hailed by officials as a strategic move to bolster the nation’s energy framework and cut down on diesel consumption for electricity generation.
According to the state-run website Cubadebate, Yamile Ramos Cordero, the first secretary of the Communist Party of Cuba (PCC) in the province, congratulated the workers and "highlighted the timely completion" of the project in four months and 21 days. This mention is noteworthy in a country where infrastructure projects often suffer chronic delays due to resource shortages, poor planning, and systemic inefficiency.
The La Barbarita project is part of a broader initiative that includes the construction of three additional solar parks in Sandino, La Lucila, and Puerta de Golpe, with each having a projected capacity of 21.8 megawatts (MW). However, Alfredo López Valdés, the general director of the Electric Union, noted that Pinar del Río will eventually have five photovoltaic parks, as the province requires between 110 and 120 MW during peak demand times.
Energy Sovereignty and Financial Savings
López explained that upon completion, these structures would provide significant energy sovereignty, allowing the province to reduce its dependency on diesel and associated generation engines during power outages. "These five parks could save the country millions of dollars daily," he assured the newspaper Guerrillero. The investment for La Barbarita alone exceeded $16 million.
The site, comprising 42,588 solar panels mounted on 1,638 metal structures, was constructed with the help of foreign companies, predominantly Chinese. It is designed to withstand hurricanes and floods, as confirmed by the specialists involved in its assembly. "Due to the characteristics of the piling, which involves driving a series of pivots two meters deep into the ground to support the tables, it is completely resistant to strong winds," explained Yulié Salgado Barrizonte, the general director of the park’s construction. He added that the setup includes hurricane-resistant panels that shield the rest of the installation.
Renewable Energy: A Futile Promise?
Despite the government's push for renewable energy — which currently accounts for less than 5% of Cuba's energy matrix — there has been little improvement in the overall power generation situation. President Miguel Díaz-Canel has pledged enhancements through these new solar systems, which are expected to generate more than 500 MW in the first half of this year. Furthermore, he committed to completing 55 solar parks by the end of 2025, with a capacity of 1,200 MW.
The authorities have consistently promised to achieve 2,000 MW of photovoltaic generation by 2030, with the first 1,000 MW by 2025. However, despite this optimistic rhetoric intended to instill hope among a population weary of broken promises and chronic outages, the reality of Cuba’s aging and mismanaged power infrastructure remains grim.
The Cuban Electric Union (UNE) acknowledged that the weekend was chaotic, with power outages across the nation and failure to adhere to scheduled service interruptions due to insufficient generation capacity. According to the UNE’s daily report, service was disrupted for 24 hours on Saturday and continued through early Sunday, with peak disruption reaching 1,617 MW at 7:20 p.m.
Frequently Asked Questions on Cuba's Energy Situation
What is the capacity of the La Barbarita solar park?
The La Barbarita solar park has a capacity to generate up to 21.8 megawatts (MW) of solar energy.
How many solar parks are planned for Pinar del Río?
Pinar del Río is expected to have five solar parks, as the province requires between 110 and 120 MW during peak demand.
What are the financial implications of these solar parks?
These solar parks are projected to save Cuba millions of dollars daily by reducing dependency on diesel for electricity generation.