- Title: Cuba on track to install 50 solar parks this year, ministry says
- Date: 20th March 2025
- Summary: NEW YORK, NEW YORK, UNITED STATES (FILE - JANUARY 6, 2025) (REUTERS) ELECTRONIC SIGN READING (English): "CONGESTION PRICING" VARIOUS OF CARS, TRUCKS ENTERING MANHATTAN FROM QUEENS VIA THE ED KOCH QUEENSBORO BRIDGE POLICE OFFICER STANDING IN TRAFFIC NEW YORK, NEW YORK, UNITED STATES (FILE - NOVEMBER 14, 2024) (REUTERS) VARIOUS OF SENSOR GANTRIES ON MANHATTAN STREET CORNER N
- Embargoed:
- Keywords: Cuba blackouts energy solar panels solar park
- Location: HAVANA & HOLGUIN, CUBA
- City: HAVANA & HOLGUIN, CUBA
- Country: Cuba
- Topics: South America / Central America,Government/Politics
- Reuters ID: LVA002046420032025RP1
- Aspect Ratio: 16:9
- Story Text:Cuba is making progress on a China-backed plan to install more than 50 solar parks this year capable of churning out more than 1,000 megawatts, the Energy Ministry said late on Wednesday (March 19) just days after the country's antiquated grid collapsed and left millions in the dark.
In the most detailed report yet on the plan's progress, energy officials said two solar parks had come online in February - one in Havana and one in Cienfuegos - and that by the end of March, workers would complete six more.
By the end of March, eight of the planned 50 solar parks will be operating, producing 170 megawatts, said Ovel Concepcion Diaz, a top renewable energy official with the Energy Ministry.
The broader plan to expand renewable energy generation, announced in 2014, has gained momentum in recent months as the government looks to revive its ailing economy and alleviate tensions among island residents exhausted by months of rolling blackouts.
The goal by 2030 is to generate 24% of total electricity production using renewable sources, up from around 4% currently. That goal includes building 92 solar parks, the government has said, in addition to battery storage facilities, hydro and wind-generation projects.
China and Russia have moved to help Cuba out of an energy crisis that has reached a tipping point after the country's electric grid collapsed four times since October.
Russia has previously committed to helping Cuba modernize three of its oil-fired power plants, along with building a 200-MW plant to bolster the grid.
Cuba and China struck a deal last year in which Beijing agreed to help the island's Communist-run government boost solar production. Neither country has elaborated on financing details.
China recently said it was donating materials and expertise to build 22 more solar parks across Cuba capable of generating 120 MW, starting this year.
Cuba blames its energy crisis on a Cold War-era U.S. trade embargo and fresh restrictions from U.S. President Donald Trump, who tightened sanctions on the nation and vowed to restore a "tough" policy toward the longtime U.S. foe.
(Production: Alien Fernandez, Anett Rios, Liamar Ramos) - Copyright Holder: REUTERS
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