Facing a severe energy crisis that is suffocating the island, the Cuban government has turned to the rapid installation of solar parks as its primary strategy to alleviate the situation. "The only way to solve the energy crisis is to continue installing renewable energy sources," declared the Minister of Energy and Mines, Vicente de la O Levy, on Thursday while presenting the progress of the national recovery plan to the National Assembly.
In his address to the deputies, De la O Levy admitted that the electrical system's condition has greatly deteriorated due to a lack of maintenance, insufficient funding, and a drop in power generation both from domestic crude and imported fuels. According to the state-run site Cubadebate, the country produced 170,000 fewer tons of crude in 2024 compared to the previous year, adding to the accumulated decrease of 6,700 gigawatts since 2019 across all generation technologies.
This decline is compounded by the sustained increase in energy demand, driven by the influx of over 17 million household appliances since 2018—more than two million in 2024 alone—and the phenomenon of consumption spikes during blackouts, which concentrate the load when service returns.
Shift Toward Renewable Energy
In response to this critical scenario, the Political Bureau directed the creation of a government program focused on restoring the electrical system, which was approved in November 2024 by the Council of Ministers as part of a strategy to "correct distortions" and "revitalize the economy."
Within this framework, renewable sources—particularly solar parks—are seen as the most viable and rapid option. According to the minister, modernizing a thermoelectric plant takes at least two years, whereas a solar park can be installed in just three months. "Neither money nor time justifies clinging to the old ways," he asserted, echoing a stance later shared from the official account of the Cuban Presidency on social media platform X: "Many ask why we don't buy more oil or repair old thermoelectric plants... the answer is clear."
Structural Challenges and Uncertain Funding
Despite official enthusiasm, numerous obstacles remain. The initial investment to expand the renewable energy matrix is significant, and Cuba lacks access to fluid credit lines and consistent suppliers due to sanctions and its own financial instability. The country also faces technological and logistical constraints in efficiently integrating solar energy into the national grid, which is outdated and vulnerable.
Conclusion
In an island where blackouts have recently exceeded 2,000 megawatts of deficit, impacting the daily lives of millions, the government is betting on solar power as a lifeline. However, the transition will depend not only on solar panels and installation speed but also on political, economic, and technical capabilities to make a collapsed system work. For now, promises are illuminated by solar rays... but darkness persists.
Frequently Asked Questions about Cuba's Energy Transition
Why is Cuba focusing on solar parks to resolve its energy crisis?
Cuba is focusing on solar parks because they can be installed quickly and provide a renewable and sustainable energy source, which is essential given the current lack of maintenance and funding for other forms of energy generation.
What challenges does Cuba face in transitioning to renewable energy?
Cuba faces challenges such as high initial investment costs, limited access to credit and suppliers due to sanctions, and technological and logistical issues in integrating solar energy into an outdated national grid.
How does the increase in household appliances affect Cuba's energy demand?
The increase in household appliances has significantly raised energy demand, which, combined with consumption spikes during blackouts, strains an already struggling electrical system.