Energy Minister urges Cubans to buy their own solar panels.

In a context marked by serious blackouts in Cuba, the Minister of Energy and Mines, Vicente de la O Levy, proposed that the island's citizens consider purchasing solar panels as an alternative to become independent from the national electric system.

His statements, during a tumultuous television appearance on Thursday alongside Prime Minister Manuel Marrero Cruz, have sparked an intense debate among the population, which is also facing one of the highest inflation rates in the world, low salaries, and high prices imposed by the State itself.

During his speech, the minister stated that the idea is to encourage the population to opt for photovoltaic systems instead of relying on power plants, suggesting that investment in solar energy could be beneficial for households in the country, which experienced a massive blackout across the nation this Friday.

"It is being promoted that instead of buying a power plant, the population can acquire a photovoltaic solar system that allows them to achieve energy autonomy," he declared.

"It is much better for the country and for the people to have a photovoltaic system, instead of investing in a generator," said the official.

However, in the face of criticism from the public, the Unión Eléctrica (UNE) hurried to clarify that the minister's words were misinterpreted and that it was a case of "media manipulation."

The UNE emphasized that there is no formal plan for the sale of solar panels and that the country's energy situation is complex and requires a comprehensive solution.

The energy crisis has severely affected the daily lives of Cubans, who endure power outages of more than 20 hours a day in some areas.

Marrero Cruz said at the same appearance that the situation is extremely critical and indicated that no short-term solution is expected.

"There are three important factors that affect the electricity generation deficit: the state of the infrastructure, the lack of fuel, and the increase in demand," he acknowledged, although he emphasized that the lack of fuel is the most significant of the three.

The high-ranking official said that as a policy they have chosen to prioritize the residential sector and that they have been "paralyzing economic activities" to ensure energy generation for the population.