The Cuban government has pledged to add 1,000 megawatts (MW) of solar power to the National Electric System by 2025, as part of an expansive initiative that plans to establish around 50 solar parks throughout the island. However, this project faces a significant hurdle: the absence of storage batteries, meaning the solar energy can only be utilized during daylight hours, with no provision to meet nighttime demand when consumption peaks.
In an interview with the state-run newspaper Granma, Energy and Mines Minister Vicente de la O Levy acknowledged that while the initial shipment of storage containers has arrived, the necessary batteries for energy storage have yet to be installed. He explained that the systems were procured in stages, and battery installation was deferred because they "shouldn't remain uncharged for extended periods" to prevent degradation.
The minister described the process as straightforward, likening the batteries to "drawers that need to be fitted," but he did not specify when they would be operational or provide logistical details about their integration into the system. This critical shortfall limits the solar energy project's effectiveness: electricity generated during the day must be used immediately or it will go to waste, failing to mitigate the power outages plaguing millions of Cubans at night.
De la O Levy conceded that even with the proposed 1,000 MW, blackouts won't be entirely eliminated. "Will there still be a 500 MW deficit if we install 1,000 MW of solar? Yes, because on days when the deficit was 1,500 MW, 1,000 MW was due to fuel shortages," he said.
Cuba's ongoing energy crisis has deep roots, as the minister candidly admitted. He cited the lack of maintenance on aging thermoelectric plants, many operational for over 40 years, which has led to frequent breakdowns and a steep decline in generation capacity. Additionally, the collapse of domestic oil production, lack of investment in drilling new wells or maintaining existing ones, and the absence of a modern infrastructure for transporting and refining crude exacerbate the situation.
Even if all thermoelectric plants operated optimally, the minister acknowledged that domestic crude production would still be insufficient to power them. According to government data, national crude output fell by 138,028 tons by the end of 2024 due to shortages in material and financial resources. Currently, about 40,000 barrels are produced daily, covering merely a third of national consumption. Cuban wells only extract 6% of the underground oil, prompting authorities to explore ways to increase this rate to 10% or 11%, which could potentially double production.
Potential oil-rich areas have been identified in Boca de Jaruco, between Fraile and Jibacoa; in Havana del Este and Alamar; and south of the Puerto Escondido and Canasí fields. A 2025 exploratory campaign aims to develop three to five new wells, with continued emphasis on prospecting for higher-quality crude and exploring offshore deposits.
The solar park installations are seen as an urgent measure to reduce reliance on imported fossil fuels, with over 50% of available fuel dedicated solely to electricity generation. However, the energy plan's success hinges on importing panels, electronic components, coupling systems, and now batteries, whose absence undermines the project's sustainability.
Meanwhile, prolonged power outages remain a daily reality for most Cubans, who endure extended blackouts without effective short-term solutions. The lack of a coherent energy policy, with real and sustained investments in maintenance, technology, and infrastructure, keeps the nation in a state of extreme vulnerability. Although the shift towards renewable sources is a step in the right direction, the lack of batteries renders the project an unfulfilled promise. Without the ability to store generated electricity, Cuba will continue to rely on the sun—but only while it shines.
This past Wednesday, the Cuban government asserted it would soon rank among the top three nations globally in accelerating the transition to clean energy, despite the severe energy crisis currently facing the country. During an appearance on the state-run television program Mesa Redonda, Ramsés Monte Calzadilla, Director of Policy and Strategy at the Ministry of Energy and Mines (MINEM), claimed that Cuba is making significant strides in renewable energy advancement.
Key Challenges in Cuba's Solar Energy Plan
Why can't solar energy be used at night in Cuba?
The lack of storage batteries means that solar energy can only be utilized during daylight hours, with no means to store it for nighttime use when demand is highest.
What is the current state of Cuba's oil production?
Cuba produces around 40,000 barrels of oil daily, covering only a third of national consumption. The country's oil wells currently extract only 6% of the available crude, with efforts underway to increase this rate.
What impact do aging thermoelectric plants have on Cuba's energy crisis?
The lack of maintenance on aging thermoelectric plants, many of which have been in operation for over 40 years, has led to frequent breakdowns and a significant drop in generation capacity, exacerbating the energy crisis.