The Cuban regime is attempting to frame solar energy as an alternative to tackle the energy crisis, now with the installation of "solineras" designed to charge tricycles, scooters, and electric cars in the country.
A recent report from the official channel Canal Caribe showed how the Camilo Cienfuegos Electronic Industry in Havana uses this system to power its electric vehicles and even provide service to the public.
In the television segment, Enrique, a driver of one of the entity's electric tricycles, shared that he takes advantage of his lunch hour to connect his vehicle to the photovoltaic network.
"I put it there to charge and by late afternoon... it's fully charged and I go out again to provide service," she said. The scene, shared as an example of efficiency, is part of the government campaign to showcase a future based on solar energy.
However, the push for solar farms and solar parks occurs in a context marked by the chronic fuel shortage and the aging of the National Electric System (SEN), virtually collapsed after decades of neglect and lack of investment.
How should "solineras" operate and how do they compare internationally?
The solar charging stations, or solar power stations for electric vehicles, operate through a relatively simple system, with the placement of photovoltaic panels that convert sunlight into direct current electricity, which is then transformed by a converter into alternating current compatible with vehicles or the electrical grid; in many advanced countries, the system includes storage batteries to ensure charging during the night or on cloudy days.
This hybrid or off-grid model is essential for ensuring continuous service availability beyond daylight hours.
In countries like Spain, electric charging stations, although not all are solar, have become a strong public and private infrastructure, with nearly 16,000 public charging points, especially in cities and major corridors.
In addition, innovative projects have been implemented, such as the "MetroCharge" system in Barcelona, where energy regenerated from subway braking, combined with solar panels, is used to power nearby charging stations.
In China, the deployment is massive. The country concentrated in 2019 more than half of the world's public charging stations, with over 800,000 points, including 760,000 fast chargers, supported by private networks, state entities, and car manufacturers.
Companies like XPeng and Volkswagen are building ultra-fast charging networks in over 420 cities with more than 20,000 points. Technologies such as battery swapping, led by Nio, also stand out, allowing battery changes in less than 5 minutes at over 1,300 stations.
The difference is evident, because while in other countries these stations ensure continuity and autonomy, in Cuba there are only isolated gas stations being built, with no storage or real capacity for expansion.
In Cuba, solar promises in the face of daily blackouts
For example, in the electrical sector, the government has announced the construction of more than 50 photovoltaic parks by 2025, with a projected capacity of 1,200 MW.
Just in March, Miguel Díaz-Canel promised that 560 MW of solar energy would be incorporated this summer, assuring that “we are almost going to take the peak at noon.” However, the reality is that power outages persist throughout the country, and thermoelectric plants are still barely functioning.
The Electric Union (UNE) has claimed that solar energy “feeds the hope of millions of Cubans”. However, as we have also reported, the official figures contrast sharply with everyday experiences, as there are blackouts lasting more than 12 hours, industries at a standstill, and households immersed in precarious conditions.
The Minister of Energy and Mines, Vicente de la O Levy, acknowledged that, although the plan aims to install 1,000 MW of solar power this year, there are still no batteries to store that electricity. This means that generation can only be utilized during the day, while at night, when consumption is higher, blackouts will continue to be unavoidable.
The reliance on donations and foreign equipment, such as the panels and storage containers sent by China, highlights the fragility of the energy program and its inability to provide a sustainable solution.
Then, while the government multiplies headlines and triumphant reports about solar farms and photovoltaic parks, the underlying reality is clear, the regime seeks to cover up the structural failure of a devastated electrical system with solar energy.
Without maintenance, with thermoelectric plants over 40 years old, national crude production in free fall, and a lack of financing to modernize the grid, Cuba relies on promises that will hardly translate into relief for the people.
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