The Cuban government has entered into a Country Framework Agreement with the International Solar Alliance (ISA) in Havana. This partnership aims to advance seven renewable energy initiatives, focusing on food and medicine production, rural electrification, and other critical areas. Rosell Guerra, the Director of Renewable Energy at the Ministry of Energy and Mines (Minem), shared this information during the conclusion of a workshop with state agencies and business leaders.
The agreement intends to enhance collaboration between the parties, assess the involvement of Cuban economic sectors, and bolster the technical training of specialists, according to the state-run Prensa Latina. Guerra emphasized that the ISA has made donations, provided equipment, and certified the University of Havana's Photovoltaic Laboratory as a Solar Technology Application Resource Center (STAR Center), marking the first of its kind in Latin America.
This center has already conducted four courses for Cuban technicians and offered training to officials from 14 Latin American and Caribbean countries, supported by the Latin American Energy Organization. Ashish Khanna, the ISA's Director-General, visited the island as a demonstration of the organization's commitment to Cuba's "energy transition."
Hugo Morales, the regional head of ISA for Latin America and the Caribbean, mentioned plans to evaluate specific methods for implementing the projects after consulting with involved Cuban entities. Khanna stated that the new strategy, "Moving from Ambition to Action," aims to develop a detailed plan outlining which projects will be executed and their timelines. He acknowledged that despite existing technical capabilities, it is crucial to incorporate experiences from other countries and improve management practices.
The ISA, an intergovernmental organization, was established to promote the global use and development of solar energy, particularly in sun-rich countries. Officially launched in 2015 during the Paris Climate Summit (COP21) through the initiative of India and France, its membership is now open to any interested nation. Its mission is to facilitate investments, lower the cost of solar energy, promote joint infrastructure projects, share technology and expertise, and accelerate the energy transition by reducing fossil fuel dependency.
The announcement of this agreement comes as Cuba faces one of its most severe energy crises in decades, with daily blackouts lasting over 20 hours due to outdated technology, fuel shortages, and a heavy reliance on imports for electricity generation. The Cuban government is betting on expanding the use of renewable energy, which currently accounts for less than 5% of the national energy mix. Officials claim that the island will soon rank among the top three countries globally in rapidly advancing towards clean energy usage.
Furthermore, the 2025 investment budget reflects a partial shift in spending priorities, with a significant increase in renewable energy and debt amortization. Despite the recent inauguration of several photovoltaic parks, the Cuban public remains skeptical, seeing "no noticeable improvement," as expressed on social media. Many question the real utility of these investments, while others sarcastically suggest that solar panels only serve the government's rhetoric, not the people's needs.
Additionally, authorities have highlighted the launch of electric tricycle routes in various Cuban cities, though the lack of photovoltaic charging stations keeps these vehicles dependent on fossil fuel-based generation, challenging their "eco-friendly" profile.
President Miguel Díaz-Canel has promised improvements with the installation of systems expected to generate over 500 MW of solar energy in the first half of this year. He also committed to building 55 solar parks with a capacity of 1,200 MW by the end of 2025. However, this effort faces a significant hurdle: the absence of batteries to store the generated electricity, meaning solar energy can only be used in real-time during the day, unable to meet nighttime demand when consumption peaks.
Nevertheless, early in August, authorities announced the installation of solar energy storage batteries at the Cueto 220, Bayamo 220, Cotorro 220, and Havana 220 substations. At the end of June, the Ministry of Finance and Prices (MFP) issued Resolution 169, dated May 30, 2025, and published in Official Gazette No.60. This resolution updated the tax framework related to the import and use of renewable energy source technologies.
This measure supports Decree Law 345 "On the Development of Renewable Energy Sources and Efficient Energy Use," dated March 23, 2017, and the government program to recover the National Electric System.
Understanding Cuba's Renewable Energy Strategy
What is the main goal of Cuba's agreement with the International Solar Alliance?
The agreement aims to enhance cooperation to advance renewable energy projects in Cuba, focusing on areas such as food and medicine production and rural electrification.
How will the ISA support Cuba's renewable energy projects?
The ISA will assist by providing donations, equipment, and technical training to Cuban specialists, as well as certifying local laboratories for solar technology applications.
What challenges does Cuba face in its energy transition?
Cuba confronts challenges such as outdated technology, fuel shortages, and a lack of storage batteries, which limit the use of solar energy to daytime hours only.