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The Cuban government celebrated the connection of six new photovoltaic parks to the National Electric System (SEN) as part of its plan to promote renewable energy and mitigate the severe energy crisis the country is facing.
Through the social media platform X, the Minister of Energy and Mines, Vicente de la O Levy, announced that the six parks scheduled for March are already synchronized to the national system.
They are located in La Sabana (Granma); Mango Dulce (Artemisa); Remedios (Villa Clara); La Corúa (Holguín); Jovellanos (Matanzas), and Ciego Norte (Ciego de Ávila)
With his classic triumphalist tone, the ruler Miguel Díaz-Canel described the event as "great news, a result of the efforts of engineers, technicians, workers, and an entire people," and asserted that it is one of the most important projects of recent years. "We continue to make progress on all fronts to recover the National Electroenergy System," he added.
However, the blackouts persist, and the authorities themselves acknowledge that solar generation will not fully address the electrical deficit.
A limited progress in the face of a structural problem
Despite the official enthusiasm, the authorities themselves acknowledge that even the incorporation of 1,000 megawatts (MW) of projected solar energy for 2025 will not eliminate blackouts.
In recent statements to the newspaper Granma, Minister Vicente de la O Levy explained that even if the 1,000 MW are installed, the deficit will not disappear completely, as a significant part of the problem lies in the lack of fuel.
"Will there be a deficit of 500 MW if we install 1,000 MW of solar? No, because out of the 1,500 MW deficit, there were days when 1,000 MW were due to fuel," he explained.
Additionally, this measure comes with a significant limitation: the lack of batteries to store the generated electricity, which means that solar energy can only be used in real-time, during the day, with no possibility to meet nighttime demand, when consumption is at its peak.
The Cuban energy crisis has deep structural causes, with obsolete thermoelectric plants, many of which have been in operation for over 40 years, lacking proper maintenance.
In addition, other causes include the collapse of domestic oil production, with no investments for new wells or for maintaining the existing ones, and the lack of modern infrastructure to transport and refine crude oil.
The minister himself admitted that, even if all the plants were operational, the country does not have enough domestic crude oil to supply them.
Green promises in the face of a dark reality
The government's plan includes the construction of around fifty solar parks distributed across the island, aimed at diversifying the energy matrix and reducing dependence on fossil fuels. However, in practice, solar energy still represents a fraction of the total needed to ensure the national electricity supply amid repeated promises.
Meanwhile, blackouts continue to daily affect millions of Cubans, both in urban and rural areas, impacting domestic economies, productive activity, and everyday life.
Frequently Asked Questions about the Energy Crisis and Solar Energy in Cuba
What is the real impact of the new solar parks on Cuba's energy crisis?
The new solar parks will not fully resolve the energy crisis in Cuba. While the installation of six new photovoltaic parks adds capacity to the National Electric System, the electrical deficit persists due to structural problems such as the lack of fuel and the poor condition of thermoelectric plants. Solar generation is insufficient to cover the total deficit, especially at night, as there are no batteries to store the energy generated during the day.
Why is the Cuban government investing in solar energy?
The Cuban government promotes solar energy as part of a plan to diversify the energy matrix and reduce dependence on fossil fuels. However, this strategy is also seen as a response to the lack of resources to maintain outdated thermoelectric plants and the decline in national oil production. Despite the promises, the development of renewable energies still faces significant limitations, such as the lack of storage infrastructure.
What limitations does the solar energy system face in Cuba?
The solar energy system in Cuba faces the critical limitation of a lack of batteries to store the generated electricity. This means that solar energy can only be used in real time, during the day, with no possibility of meeting the nighttime demand when consumption is higher. This deficiency affects the effectiveness of solar parks in alleviating nighttime blackouts.
What are the main obstacles in the Cuban electrical system?
The Cuban electrical system is affected by obsolete thermoelectric plants, a lack of fuel, and inadequate maintenance. These difficulties have led to a collapse of the National Electric System, with a generation deficit exceeding 1,500 MW during peak hours. The aging infrastructure and limited investment in technology and maintenance worsen the situation, making short-term solutions, such as solar parks, merely insufficient palliatives.
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