Amid a sustained energy crisis leading to widespread power outages across Cuba, the regime has vowed to add 10,000 megawatts (MW) of solar power capacity by the end of 2025. This ambitious target was revealed by Lázaro Guerra Hernández, the Director General of Electricity at the Ministry of Energy and Mines (MINEM), during an exclusive interview with Canal Caribe. While presented as a strategic move to mitigate energy shortages, the plan faces skepticism regarding its technical and financial feasibility.
The official noted that the gradual integration of new solar parks aims to ease power cuts, particularly during peak daytime consumption hours. Despite these plans, Cuba's national electrical system remains fragile, with outdated thermoelectric plants and a deteriorating distributed generation network struggling to meet demand spikes.
In March, eight solar parks were synchronized, generating approximately 1 gigawatt-hour daily. This addition, theoretically, has reduced service disruptions by about 170 MW during the midday peak. However, the tangible impact remains limited due to solar energy's dependency on weather conditions and the ongoing implementation of backup infrastructure, such as battery storage systems.
Energy and Mines Minister Vicente de la O Levy acknowledged that while initial battery storage containers have arrived, they have yet to be installed, hindering the ability to meet nighttime demand and diminishing the impact of persistent blackouts. Guerra Hernández indicated that the solar initiative is part of a broader governmental strategy, which includes maintaining thermoelectric plants, reviving distributed generation, and utilizing floating power stations.
Despite the push for renewable energy, thermal generation relying on domestic fossil fuels like gas from oil extraction remains the backbone of Cuba’s energy production. More details are expected soon on strategies to restore key thermoelectric units, such as Unit Two of the Lidio Ramón Pérez plant in Mayarí, Holguín.
Recently, the National Electric Union (UNE) admitted that while solar parks offer partial daytime relief, they do not fully address the country's energy crisis. Weather factors, like cloud cover, have impacted solar output, resulting in a 29 MWh shortfall in the western region.
Even Cuban leader Miguel Díaz-Canel has pledged improvement in the country's electric crisis through the deployment of these solar parks. However, these assurances come against a backdrop of the regime's long history of unfulfilled promises regarding electrical system recovery.
Experts and economists remain skeptical about the Cuban government's renewable energy strategy. They argue that the regime uses such projects as propaganda, and without significant changes in management and financing, the current energy crisis is unlikely to be resolved.
Key Questions About Cuba's Solar Power Plans
What is the goal of Cuba's solar power initiative?
The Cuban government aims to add 10,000 MW of solar power capacity by the end of 2025 to address the country's energy shortages.
Why is there skepticism about the solar power plan?
There are doubts about the technical and financial viability of the plan, given the current weaknesses in Cuba's national electrical system.
How do weather conditions affect solar power in Cuba?
Solar power output in Cuba is highly sensitive to weather conditions, such as cloud cover, which can significantly reduce energy production.