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On February 10, the Cuban regime celebrated what it termed a "record" in photovoltaic generation: over 800 megawatts (MW) produced during a segment of midday.
The figure, presented by the director of the National Cargo Office of the Electric Union (UNE), engineer Félix Estrada Rodríguez, was enthusiastically echoed by official media and provincial electric companies, which also highlighted the installation of over 1,000 MW in solar energy during 2025.
The announcement comes amid the worst energy crisis in years, with blackouts lasting up to 24 hours, deficits exceeding 1,800 MW during peak hours, and thermoelectric plants frequently entering and exiting the system due to recurrent breakdowns. However, the official discourse chose to focus on the brightness of noon.
The record —limited to "a segment" of solar hours— contrasts with the nighttime reality faced by millions of Cubans, when demand exceeds 3,000 MW and availability barely reaches around 1,200 or 1,300 MW. UNE itself has acknowledged impacts surpassing 1,900 MW in recent days.
It is true that 800 MW of solar energy represents a significant contribution and that photovoltaic expansion can be part of the structural solution. However, it is also true that the sun sets every day. And when night falls, the system becomes reliant on an aging thermal power plant, lacking thorough maintenance and facing chronic fuel limitations.
Celebrating a spike in generation at noon while the country prepares for another massive blackout at night sounds less like an energy victory and more like a propaganda exercise.
The issue is not that solar parks are being established; the problem is presenting as a remarkable achievement what still does not ensure electrical stability.
In Cuba, the sun shines brightly at noon. The challenge remains keeping the light on afterwards.
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