The Cuban regime will charge in dollars for the hiring of solar energy through a new scheme that redefines access to renewable sources amid the national energy crisis.
The measure, published in the Official Gazette through a resolution from the Ministry of Energy and Mines, introduces a model in which individuals and businesses can "purchase" solar power from the state system instead of independently installing their own systems.
The mechanism allows for contracts starting from 0.5 kilowatts onwards, with no maximum limit, and payments fixed in dollars based on the duration of the contract.
For example, 1 kW costs 600 USD over 20 years, 312 USD over 10 years, 168 USD over 5 years, and 90 USD over 2 years, while 5 kW amounts to 3000 USD in the longest scheme.
It’s not about acquiring solar panels or generating electricity directly at home, but rather about paying for capacity within the system controlled by the Electric Union.
In return, the customer receives a discount of 125 kWh per month for each kW contracted, which serves as an energy credit applied to their consumption.
The resolution also includes the possibility of selling excess energy to the national electric system, although at rates set by the State itself, which retains full control of the process.
Payment must be made exclusively to bank accounts authorized by the Electric Union, and those funds will be used, according to the document, to finance investments in electricity generation and distribution, with a focus on renewable sources.
Additionally, customers receive a certificate of generation with renewable energy, which is more symbolic than practical within the scheme.
The regulation revokes the previous resolution of 2021, indicating a model change rather than just a technical adjustment.
In practice, the measure does not represent a liberalization of the energy sector, but rather a centralized system in which the State maintains control while shifting part of the cost of electricity generation onto the citizen.
Access to this scheme is contingent upon the availability of foreign currency, which introduces an element of inequality in a context where many sectors lack stable access to dollars.
Thus, rather than facilitating the expansion of solar energy, the new model creates a mechanism through which citizens fund state electricity generation in exchange for discounts on their consumption, in a system characterized by blackouts and structural limitations.
Recently, the regime promoted the installation of photovoltaic modules as one of the alternatives to address the energy crisis.
However, the cost of these systems once again highlights the real access limitations for the majority of the population.
According to a publication by the Unión Eléctrica, the 800-watt module being installed in the homes of Heroes and Heroines of Labor is priced at 75,200 Cuban pesos.
The package includes a solar panel, wiring, connectors, and a battery with an output of 1,200 watts, sufficient to power basic equipment such as a refrigerator, rice cooker, or television.
Although it is presented as a solution, the high cost of these kits and their limited availability reinforce the gap between those who can access energy alternatives and those who continue to depend on the national electrical system.
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