But will electricity be charged in dollars, yes or no?

The communist state press has publicly acknowledged that it had to address the alarm created in the country due to various interpretations arising regarding the Resolution 76 of 2025 from the Ministry of Energy and Mines. All these interpretations revolve around a possible charge for electricity services in dollars. In a country where the exchange rate stands at 1 dollar for 500 pesos, and where there is an increasing need to purchase essential goods using U.S. currency—the only one with real purchasing power—information circulating on social media about the payment of electricity in dollars has only served to confirm that Cuban society is unable to escape one scare only to face another, highlighting the precarious nature of the regime.

It has been Ramsés Montes Calzadilla, director of policy and energy strategy at Minem, who has had to declare in Cubadebate that “there have been no changes to the existing electricity tariffs in the country.” He also added that “the tariff system, both for the residential and non-residential sectors, remains in national currency. There has not even been an increase,” while labeling the interpretations spread on social media as interested misinformation that “do not correspond to the actual content of the regulation.”

What exactly did the Castroite leader say to Cubadebate? He stated that, in essence, the contentious Resolution that has caused a stir in Cuba “does not introduce a new scheme, but rather updates, with a significant reduction in prices, a mechanism implemented since 2021, related to the contracting of photovoltaic solar energy.”

And what does this mean in everyday language, rather than the usual cryptic Castro-like phrasing? It means that this "scheme" was designed, at the time, solely to meet the electrical needs of large consumers, such as state-owned enterprises, small and medium-sized enterprises, and also individual households; however, in the latter case, it was not intended for everyone, but rather for those who could prove high consumption. Consequently, electricity should originate from renewable energy generation, and this could be achieved "by contracting a specific installed capacity in solar parks of the National Electric System."

The Castro regime is always coming up with new ideas, this time in a particularly sensitive area such as electric service, through a kind of “virtual installation.” Essentially, the customer does not install panels at their physical address, but instead finances their equivalent in another installation and “receives a monthly discount on their electricity consumption” in return.

And here comes the second point, how does the hiring process work?

Another mechanism of injustice. Well, for every kilowatt (kW) contracted, the consumer receives a monthly discount of 125 kWh on their bill, during the agreed period, which can range from 2 to 20 years, with the aim of simulating the behavior of a real panel, but without the need to install it physically. This system seems to have worked in organizations with space constraints, such as hotels or large urban facilities, which, despite being major consumers, lack the space to install their own solar generation infrastructure.

And so, what does all this mess have to do with the recently published Resolution 76, which seems to be the source of the excitement on social media? The Cuban leader stated that “it is based on the reduction of the contracting prices, in line with the international decrease in the costs of photovoltaic technology,” such that the highest price, corresponding to 20-year contracts, has dropped from $1,500 per kW in 2021 to $600 currently, representing a reduction of over 50%.

In other words, the system benefits some over others. Therefore, only those who can afford the hiring are eligible, which is not based on internal costs but on international ones. These large consumers, who have no space to install the panels—which seems quite strange—are allowed to pay less for electricity with the justification that these are incentives for investment in renewable energy and to facilitate the achievement of national goals in this area. But, didn't we agree that the installation is not at the users' premises? Who invests, where, and for what purpose? Yes. Follow the thread, and you will see that at the end of the economic process, it is always the same: the communist state that seeks foreign currency by any means necessary.

What a business the regime has set up with this system, facilitating entities (which, due to their significance, are large consumers) that must be “friends” of the power, significant savings on their electricity bills, in some cases up to 50% before the contract is finalized, which, as has already been observed, not everyone can afford. They will say whatever they want, such as that “the contracted energy, although paid for in advance, ends up being more economical than that purchased through the conventional rate” or that “companies receive a certificate verifying the use of clean energy, which adds value to their productions and services, in a context where sustainability is gaining more and more importance.” The issue is that, in the end, there is someone profiting from all this, and it is none other than the Castro regime.

In response to the logical social alarm, the Castro leader clarified to Cubadebate that “the mechanism is also available for individuals, although its convenience depends on the consumption level,” meaning that families are excluded from this business, because “in the residential sector, where the rate is tiered and highly subsidized at lower levels, only high consumers obtain clear economic benefits.” In other words, this entire invention is aimed at those who exceed 500 kWh per month, facing rates that can reach between 15 and 25 pesos per kWh. In such cases, contracting photovoltaic energy can represent considerable savings, but this system is not mandatory or widespread; rather, it is an additional option for those who choose to take advantage of it. You already know what we are talking about.

He finally clarified that "this is not something that will affect the entire population or all businesses. It is an option for those who find it suitable," concluding his remarks by addressing the root of the social alarm he was trying to quell: "contracts are made in foreign currency because the technological components necessary for solar generation must be imported." This immediately raises the question: where do the solar panels donated by the Chinese go? What is the basis for the transition to renewables that, apparently, costs not a cent in the areas where actions are being taken? Why do some pay while others do not?

The increase in the participation of renewable sources in the energy matrix should have been pursued as a strategy decades ago. Failing to do so at the right time and directing investments to other ventures is no longer of interest to anyone, but to conclude that “many entities feel committed to this process because they know they are contributing to the solution of the national energy problem” is false. Resolution 76 of 2025, which is the source of all this trouble, does not impose additional burdens on the population, it is true, but it excludes the majority of society from its savings mechanisms. On the other hand, it reinforces and updates the existing tool for those privileged few who can benefit from the action framework and have the money for installation. The rest, as always, are left watching from the sidelines. With this resolution, there is someone profiting at the end of the process, and some pay for what others do not. And that is social injustice, regardless of what you call it.