The Electric Union of Cuba acknowledged this Tuesday that photovoltaic solar parks, while providing some relief for daytime blackouts, do not represent a comprehensive solution to the energy crisis the country is facing.
Thus declared Lázaro Guerra Hernández, director of Electricity at the Ministry of Energy and Mines, during an appearance on Cuban state television, shared on social media by journalist Lázaro Manuel Alonso.
Parks do not solve blackouts on their own, Guerra stated, making it clear that while solar energy has a positive impact, its limitations prevent it from being a definitive solution to the energy crisis the country has been experiencing for several years.
The official highlighted that the eight solar parks currently in operation are generating the expected energy, with optimal performance during the months of highest solar radiation, such as March and April.
These parks, as he stated, generate around 1,000 megawatt-hours daily, which represents, according to official studies, the equivalent of one hour less of blackout.
In Guerra's words: “If we did not have the photovoltaic parks at this moment, the impact would be higher.” He added that currently, at the peak of daytime generation (between 11 a.m. and 3 p.m.), these parks contribute between 240 and 250 MW to the national electric system.
However, he clarified that this type of generation has evident limitations. It only works during sunlight hours and does not provide backup capacity for nights or early mornings, when the deficit tends to be more critical.
For this reason, he noted that the Cuban government is combining solar expansion with a parallel program for the recovery of base and distributed generation, as well as the reactivation of thermal plants that operate with domestic crude oil.
During his speech, Guerra announced that five new photovoltaic parks will become operational before the end of April, with the expectation of exceeding 300 MW generated from this source.
The government's ultimate goal is to reach 1,200 MW of solar generation before the end of 2025.
However, he reiterated that this progress will not address the underlying issue: “The solution to the impacts lies in increasing the generation capacity of all the technologies we have installed in the system.”
Guerra insisted that the Cuban energy program does not solely depend on the Ministry of Energy and Mines or the Electric Union.
It also involves six other ministries of the Central State Administration and the Revolutionary Armed Forces, in what was described as a coordinated effort by multiple state entities to increase generation, optimize the use of national oil and gas, and strengthen the energy infrastructure of the island.
This adds to the urgent need to recover the so-called distributed generation, which consists of electric generation engines installed at various locations across the country.
According to the official, this method of generation provides strategic advantages in the event of weather events, emergencies, or failures in the centralized system, which is why it must be maintained with high availability.
"The government program is not just about solar photovoltaics. It also includes the other technologies that contribute to the delivery of energy to the national electrical system," emphasized Guerra.
These statements come amid growing citizen frustration over the ongoing blackouts, which in many regions exceed 10 hours daily.
Although authorities insist that efforts are being made to resolve the situation, progress in the installation of renewable energy sources such as solar has not yet resulted in substantial improvements for the population.
In recent weeks, the Cuban government has intensified its public discourse on the deployment of solar parks as part of its energy strategy, although with an approach that acknowledges its limitations.
In March, the authorities highlighted the performance of three new solar parks—in Havana, Cienfuegos, and Granma—that exceeded production expectations, but admitted that the structural crisis of the National Electric System continues to be worsened by the deterioration of thermoelectric plants and the limited energy storage capacity.
One day later, Minister Vicente de la O Levy warned that, although 46 solar parks are planned to be installed during the year with a capacity of up to 1,000 MW, blackouts will not be eliminated due to the critical state of the electrical system, the dependency on fossil fuels, and technological obsolescence.
In April, the Cuban regime publicly reiterated that "no solar park, by itself, will resolve the deficit", stating that only with the synchronization of the 92 parks planned by 2026 could the situation be alleviated during peak daytime demand.
The case of La Sabana park in Granma was cited as an example of these limitations: its contribution accounts for only 20% of the provincial demand at noon.
Finally, the ruler Miguel Díaz-Canel assured this Tuesday that "there are advancements" in the energy program, while not denying the ongoing power outages.
He reiterated that the solution requires increasing generation capacity using various technologies, which would include the recovery of thermal plants and the improvement of the distributed generation fleet.
Frequently Asked Questions about the Energy Crisis in Cuba and the Role of Solar Parks
Why do solar parks in Cuba not solve the energy crisis?
Solar parks cannot resolve the energy crisis because they only generate power during the day and do not have storage systems to supply during the night, when consumption is higher. Additionally, Cuba's energy infrastructure is in poor condition and relies heavily on fossil fuels, which limits the positive impact that solar parks can have on the national electrical system.
How many solar parks are planned to be installed in Cuba by 2025?
By the end of 2025, the Cuban government plans to have installed 55 solar parks with a total capacity of 1,200 MW. However, this ambitious plan faces significant challenges, such as the lack of batteries to store the generated energy and the obsolescence of the national electrical system, which continues to struggle with current energy demands.
How does cloud cover affect solar energy generation in Cuba?
Cloud cover reduces solar energy generation by decreasing the amount of sunlight that reaches the photovoltaic panels. This leads to a reduction in energy production and, consequently, can worsen blackouts during the day. The situation is particularly critical, as solar energy is one of the few renewable energy sources that Cuba is currently developing.
What is the impact of power outages on the daily lives of Cubans?
Blackouts have a severe impact on the daily lives of Cubans, affecting everything from food preservation and medical care to production and essential services. Prolonged and frequent power outages are a constant source of frustration and social discontent, and they have been a catalyst for protests against the government in recent years.
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