The Secretary of Organization of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of Cuba, Roberto Morales Ojeda, toured the facilities of the "Carbon Neutral" project in the municipality of Martí, located in Matanzas province, this past Saturday. The Cuban government is promoting a biomethane plant there that transforms pig manure into fuel for five buses.
Morales Ojeda was accompanied by Mario Sabines Lorenzo, the First Secretary of the Provincial PCC Committee, Jorge Luis Broche Lorenzo, a member of the Central Committee Secretariat, and the governor, Marieta Poey Zamora, as reported by the official newspaper Girón.
Ambitious Sustainable Development Initiative
Funded by the European Union and executed by the United Nations Development Program (UNDP), the project aims to establish Martí as a sustainable development model focused on a circular and low-emission economy, with an investment exceeding $5.8 million.
The core of this initiative is a biomethane plant, claimed to be the only one of its kind in Cuba. This facility is supplied by large-scale biodigesters located near pig farms, which convert the manure into biogas, as noted by the source.
Transforming Waste into Energy
Specialists informed Morales Ojeda that the gas undergoes purification to remove carbon dioxide and hydrogen sulfide, resulting in a high-purity fuel. This fuel travels through 14 kilometers of underground pipeline to power five Yutong buses and several vans, which serve to connect the municipality with neighboring areas.
The plan stands to benefit over 22,000 residents and is structured around three main components: renewable public transportation using biomethane, promotion of agroecology on local farms, and enhancement of local government management.
Morales Ojeda acknowledged the project's innovative approach, stating it "positions Matanzas province at the forefront of biogas utilization in Cuba and the implementation of renewable energy sources."
Challenges and Public Skepticism
However, the project faces a significant structural contradiction that authorities did not address during the visit. The main pig farm operates with merely 1,000 pigs, although it has a capacity for 15,000. This reflects the collapse of the national pork production, which plummeted from more than 200,000 tons in 2018 to just 9,300 projected in 2024.
Wilber Oliva Rodríguez, the project's technical leader, conceded in April that "the primary challenge right now is securing enough raw material to sustain production."
To address the shortage of pig manure, the project is utilizing cattle excrement and other organic waste, with plans to process sargassum as well.
Public reaction to the initiative has been skeptical since its announcement. "A $5 million investment to fuel five buses?" questioned Cuban internet users, while others expressed doubts about its feasibility given the lack of pigs. "How will they keep it running when there are barely any pigs left in the country?" others wondered.
Energy Context and Broader Concerns
The energy context surrounding the project is dire. Public transportation in Cuba meets only 42% of its planned targets, and bus production plunged from 473 units in 2019 to a mere 12 projected for 2026, according to figures acknowledged by the government itself.
Frequently Asked Questions About Matanzas' "Carbon Neutral" Project
What is the main goal of the "Carbon Neutral" project in Matanzas?
The project's main goal is to establish Martí as a model of sustainable development by focusing on a circular economy with low emissions, utilizing biomethane derived from pig manure to power public transportation.
How does the biomethane plant work?
The biomethane plant converts pig manure into biogas, which is then purified to remove impurities like carbon dioxide and hydrogen sulfide. The resulting high-purity fuel is used to power buses and vans.
Why is there skepticism about the project's viability?
Skepticism arises from the significant drop in pig production, which limits the availability of manure, and the high investment required for seemingly limited returns, such as fueling only five buses.