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The Cuban Electric Union announced this Saturday the official inauguration of the photovoltaic solar park "Hoyo Colorado II," a new facility that joins the National Electric System (SEN) as part of the government's macro program to promote renewable energy sources on the island.
Located in the province of Matanzas, the new solar park is part of a national strategy that includes the construction of more than 90 solar plants before the year 2030. With this initiative, the regime aims to instill optimism in a population burdened by endless power outages.
Its opening is announced at a particularly critical time for the country, where prolonged blackouts continue to severely impact the daily lives of millions of Cubans.
The inauguration of "Hoyo Colorado II" takes place alongside the launch of similar projects in other provinces such as Cienfuegos, Pinar del Río, Villa Clara, and Ciego de Ávila.
The latter has been described by official media as one of the most advanced in the use of solar energy, with more than 50% of its midday demand reportedly met by parks such as "Carolina."
However, citizens from Avila have reacted with skepticism on social media, denouncing that reality is far from the official discourse: daily blackouts continue, along with issues in the supply of water and food. Experts agree that wind energy is expensive and unsustainable on the island.
The "Mal Tiempo" park, recently inaugurated in Cienfuegos, was introduced as a "firm step" towards energy diversification; however, critics point out that most of these projects lack storage systems, rendering their real impact during nighttime hours nonexistent.
While the need and urgency to transition to clean sources is recognized, experts and citizens agree that the energy crisis in Cuba cannot be solved solely with solar plants unless it is accompanied by sustained investment, maintenance of the electrical grid, backup infrastructure, and transparency in information.
This is compounded by the centralized distribution of energy: many users report that the electricity generated by power plants in the interior provinces is primarily allocated to Havana, which perpetuates territorial inequality in access to the service.
Frequently Asked Questions about the new solar park in Cuba and the energy crisis
What is the "Hoyo Colorado II" solar park and what is its purpose?
The "Hoyo Colorado II" solar park is a new photovoltaic facility located in Matanzas, Cuba. It is part of a government effort to increase the use of renewable energy sources on the island, aiming to integrate more solar plants into the National Electric System by the year 2030, in order to reduce the frequency of power outages in the country.
How do solar parks impact the energy crisis in Cuba?
Despite the installation of new solar parks such as "Hoyo Colorado II," the energy crisis in Cuba continues due to the lack of storage infrastructure and proper maintenance of the electric grid. This means that, although energy is produced during the day, it cannot be stored for nighttime use, when demand is higher. The situation is exacerbated by the centralized distribution of energy, which benefits Havana at the expense of other provinces.
Why are Cubans skeptical about the new solar parks?
Cubans are skeptical because power outages continue to be frequent, despite the inaugurations of solar parks and government promises. The lack of tangible results and the perception that official discourse does not reflect the daily reality of the population have increased discontent and disbelief regarding the effectiveness of these renewable energy investments.
What challenges does Cuba face in improving its electrical system?
Cuba faces significant challenges such as a lack of sustained investment, the deterioration of thermal power plants, and the absence of storage systems for solar energy. Additionally, the uneven distribution of electricity and the lack of transparency in the management of energy resources further complicate the situation. Without deep modernization and efficient management, the energy crisis is far from being resolved.
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