Cuban Government Claims It Will Become a Global Leader in Clean Energy

In a recent announcement, the Cuban government has declared its ambition to rank among the top three nations worldwide in rapidly advancing the transition to clean energy, despite the severe energy crisis currently gripping the country. During his appearance on the state-run television program "Mesa Redonda," Ramsés Monte Calzadilla, the Director of Policy and Strategy at the Ministry of Energy and Mines (MINEM), emphasized Cuba's significant strides in renewable energy development.

Monte Calzadilla asserted that while China leads the global energy transition, Cuba's progress could proportionally place it among the world's leaders in the coming years. This statement appears aimed at alleviating public discontent amid one of the worst energy crises in Cuba's history, which has triggered multiple mass protests.

"In terms of per capita progress, what our country is achieving this year, the leap we will make in renewable energy, could likely position us among the top three countries globally in rapidly advancing energy transition," he remarked, in a claim that seems more hopeful than realistic given Cuba's current circumstances.

Monte highlighted that Cuba is striving to overhaul its energy infrastructure by incorporating photovoltaic solar panels and wind farms, along with battery storage systems to retain energy generated during daylight hours for use at night or during peak demand periods. He acknowledged Cuba's heavy reliance on imported fuel, about 50% of the oil it uses, making the shift to more efficient technologies urgent.

He mentioned that electric vehicles could enhance efficiency by four to five times compared to traditional combustion vehicles, leading to substantial fuel savings. "For instance, a conventional vehicle might travel 10 kilometers per liter, whereas an electric vehicle could achieve 40 to 50 kilometers per liter equivalent," he explained.

Monte also discussed specific initiatives, such as the electric vehicles used by Aguas de La Habana since 2018, which boast over 90% technical availability. He highlighted the introduction of industrial heat pumps to replace conventional boilers, significantly boosting energy efficiency and cutting fuel consumption for industrial and tourism processes.

Cuba's Ongoing Energy Struggles Amidst Promises of Renewable Leadership

Despite the Cuban government's optimistic assertions, the country's energy reality remains dire. For years, Cuba has faced a structural crisis in its electrical system, with power plants frequently breaking down due to lack of maintenance and investment, resulting in prolonged blackouts across nearly all provinces.

The official emphasized the need for Cuba to cultivate an energy culture within universities, businesses, and organizations like the National Office for the Rational Use of Energy (Onure) to effectively leverage these technological advancements and achieve a sustainable energy model.

Monte admitted, "Exploiting these technologies is far more economical than continuing to rely on fossil fuels, especially for a country like Cuba, which imports more than half of its required fuel and currently struggles to do so regularly, causing constant disruptions to the economy and the population."

Despite the authorities' enthusiasm, many Cubans continue to endure a reality defined by frequent power outages, deteriorating quality of life, and challenges in accessing even basic services. While the government "vows to turn the island into a world leader in renewable energy," Cubans are experiencing one of the most severe energy crises in their history, with four major blackouts in recent months.

Renewable Energy Initiatives Amidst Persistent Dependency on Imported Fuel

Although the Cuban government insists on achieving a rapid energy transition, the reality is that the island remains over 95% dependent on fossil fuels for energy production, as admitted by MINEM officials during the official "Mesa Redonda" program.

Rosell Guerra Campaña, Director of Renewable Energy at MINEM, conceded that achieving energy sovereignty is currently an almost impossible task due to the high costs and the country's significant dependence on imported fuel.

In response, Cuba has launched a large-scale program involving the planned installation of 92 photovoltaic parks, along with projects funded by Chinese donations to add another 120 MW and the completion of a wind farm in Herradura. Ovel Concepción Díaz, director of renewable source generation, explained that installing these solar parks requires substantial logistical and technical efforts, posing a considerable challenge due to the need for extensive spaces, complex soil studies, and specialized electrical connections.

While officials highlight the integration of some solar parks into the system and promise positive results in fuel savings, the daily reality remains marked by frequent power outages and significant generation problems.