In the midst of an energy crisis and with blackouts paralyzing the country, the Cuban regime connected this Saturday the solar photovoltaic park La Barbarita, in Consolación del Sur, Pinar del Río, to the National Electroenergetic System (SEN), after nearly five months of construction.
The project, presented as strategic by the authorities, will generate up to 21.8 megawatts (MW) of solar energy, as part of the plan aimed at strengthening Cuba's energy matrix and reducing diesel consumption in electricity generation.
According to the official portal Cubadebate, the first secretary of the PCC in the province, Yamile Ramos Cordero, congratulated the workers and “highlighted the adherence to the established timeline,” in four months and 21 days, a mention that is not coincidental in a country where infrastructure projects suffer chronic delays due to a lack of resources, poor planning, and structural inefficiency.
The project includes a package that entails the construction in the Pinar del Río area of three additional solar parks in Sandino, La Lucila, and Puerta de Golpe, each also with a projected capacity of 21.8 MW, the source specified.
However, the general director of the Electric Union, Alfredo López Valdés, stated that the province of Pinar del Río will have five photovoltaic parks, as it requires between 110 and 120 MW during peak demand hours.
Upon completing these structures, "it would provide sufficient energy sovereignty for this province, at least during the day, to not completely depend on diesel or associated generation engines during disconnection hours," López told the newspaper Guerrillero. "These five parks would be saving the country millions of dollars on a daily basis after their completion."
He specified that in the case of the La Barbarita photovoltaic solar park, the investment exceeded 16 million dollars.
The site, consisting of 42,588 solar panels suspended on 1,638 metal structures and executed with the support of foreign companies, mainly from China, is designed to withstand hurricanes and flooding, as confirmed by specialists in charge of the installation.
“Due to the characteristics of the piling, where a series of stakes are driven into the ground at a depth of two meters to support the tables, it has total resistance to strong winds. Additionally, facing north in the front rows, there is a group of hurricane-resistant panels that also serve to protect the rest,” stated Yulié Salgado Barrizonte, general director of the park’s construction.
He stated that it is a Chinese system that "is not designed for dismantling in case of hydrometeorological events. In fact, we have experiences in other areas of the province where, after the passage of Ian, the damage was almost nonexistent.”
He also warned that “due to energy policies, what is generated in this park and the other four is for the exclusive use of the province”.
In the midst of an unprecedented energy crisis, the Cuban government is betting on the expansion of renewable energy use, which accounts for less than 5% of the national energy matrix. In recent months, there has been news of the inauguration of several photovoltaic parks.
The leader Miguel Díaz-Canel promised improvements with the installation of these systems that will generate over 500 MW of solar energy in the first half of this year. Additionally, he committed that, by the end of 2025, 55 solar parks with a capacity of 1,200 MW will have been constructed.
The authorities have insisted on the commitment to achieve 2,000 MW of photovoltaic generation by 2030, with the first 1,000 by 2025.
Despite the triumphalist rhetoric aimed at instilling hope in a population tired of unfulfilled promises and chronic blackouts that impact daily life, agricultural and industrial production, as well as basic services, there is no noticeable improvement in electricity generation in Cuba, which bears the burden of an outdated and poorly managed system.
The Electric Union of Cuba (UNE) acknowledged that this weekend has been chaotic with power outages occurring throughout the country and a failure to adhere to scheduled service interruptions due to insufficient generation capacity.
According to the daily report published by the UNE, service was affected for 24 hours this Saturday and remained so throughout the early hours of Sunday. The peak disruption occurred at 7:20 p.m. when it rose to 1,617 MW.
Frequently Asked Questions about the Energy Crisis and the Installation of Solar Parks in Cuba
What is the La Barbarita solar park and what is its capacity?
The La Barbarita solar park is a photovoltaic facility located in Consolación del Sur, Pinar del Río, with a generation capacity of 21.8 MW. This park is part of a plan to strengthen Cuba's energy matrix and reduce the use of diesel. Despite its inauguration, the energy crisis continues in Cuba.
How does the current energy crisis affect the Cuban population?
The energy crisis in Cuba leads to frequent and prolonged blackouts that impact daily life, agricultural and industrial production, and basic services. Despite efforts to incorporate renewable energy, the electrical system remains collapsed due to its age and poor management.
What is the situation of the National Electric System (SEN) in Cuba?
The National Electric System in Cuba is in a critical situation, with a generation deficit exceeding 1,500 MW. This leads to ongoing rationing and blackouts across multiple provinces. The thermal power plants are in poor condition, exacerbating the energy crisis.
How does China contribute to the development of renewable energy in Cuba?
China has donated equipment and technology for the installation of solar parks in Cuba, with the aim of reducing the use of fossil fuels. However, the effectiveness of these investments is limited by the structural problems in the Cuban energy system.
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