On Friday, the Chinese government handed over a second batch of 5,000 solar systems to Cuba. These systems are intended to provide electricity to remote rural homes and ensure solar energy is available to healthcare facilities, childcare centers, and bank branches across Cuba's 169 municipalities.
The event took place at the Ministry of Foreign Trade and Investment (Mincex) in Havana, with officials from the ministry, Cuba’s Electric Union, and the Chinese Embassy in attendance, as announced by the ministry on social media.
Managed by the China International Development Cooperation Agency, these new systems offer significant technical improvements over the initial donation received in November 2025. They deliver a power output of 3.6 KWh and double the storage capacity to 14.3 KWh.
Deputy Prime Minister Óscar Pérez-Oliva Fraga expressed gratitude to Beijing, highlighting the crucial support during the challenging circumstances facing the nation.
Chinese Ambassador Hua Xin framed the donation as a tribute coinciding with the upcoming centennial of dictator Fidel Castro's birth (1926-2016) on August 13, describing it as "a practical gift from the Chinese people to enhance the well-being of the Cuban population."
The donation follows closely on the heels of Cuba's recent national power system failures, which led to two complete blackouts in less than 48 hours on Sunday, August 2, and Monday, August 3, marking the sixth and seventh national outages this year.
Controversy surrounded the first batch of 5,000 systems, valued at over $114 million and delivered in November 2025, as some of the equipment was redirected to the state telecommunications monopoly, Etecsa, to support landline and Nauta Hogar services in Matanzas, rather than directly alleviating household blackouts.
Energy cooperation between Cuba and China has been steadily increasing. Cuban imports of Chinese solar panels grew from $16.6 million in 2019 to $48 million in 2024 and $117 million in 2025.
Commercially, the joint venture SUMAI S.A., comprising Cuban capital and the Chinese company Hangzhou Iunke Industrial Development Co., is preparing to open a store in El Vedado to sell solar panels and other products exclusively in dollars. This highlights China's dual approach—through donations and commerce—in advancing Cuba's energy sector.
Cuba currently operates over 30 solar parks with an installed capacity of nearly 1.2 GW, a 350% increase from 2024. However, renewable energy accounts for only about 9% of total generation, falling short of the regime's target of 15% for this year.
Frequently Asked Questions About Cuba's Solar Energy Initiatives
Why is China donating solar systems to Cuba?
China is donating solar systems to Cuba as part of its ongoing energy cooperation efforts to support the island's renewable energy development and improve living conditions amidst its energy crisis.
What improvements do the new solar systems have?
The latest solar systems provide a power output of 3.6 KWh and have an enhanced storage capacity of 14.3 KWh, offering significant technical upgrades over the previous donation.
How is Cuba's renewable energy sector performing?
Cuba's renewable energy capacity has increased by 350% since 2024, but renewable sources currently account for only around 9% of total energy generation, below the government's target of 15%.