Havana — The recent widespread blackouts in Cuba, which affected 10 million people, might have been avoided if the Cuban government had invested more in solar power to enhance its failing electrical grid, according to some experts. The island, blessed with abundant sunshine, has had ample opportunities to promote solar energy as a solution to its ongoing energy issues. However, the recent power outages—the worst the country has seen in years—indicate minimal advancement in this area.
Experts argue that extensive deployment of solar infrastructure, including solar farms and residential systems, could have significantly mitigated these problems. “If there had been sufficient development of solar energy sources, those outages could have been largely prevented,” stated Dan Whittle from the Environmental Defense Fund. He emphasized the lack of effective policy framework to support this transition within the Cuban government.
While Cuban authorities attribute the blackouts to various external factors such as the U.S. trade embargo and the pandemic’s impact on tourism and emigration, analysts believe the core issue lies in the government’s failure to revise internal policies concerning foreign investments and private financing. Despite pledging in the 2015 Paris Agreement to source 37% of its electricity from renewable sources by 2030—a significant increase from the previous 24% goal—Cuba remains heavily reliant on petroleum fuels.
John Kavulich, from the U.S.-Cuba Trade and Economic Council, noted that there was optimism two years ago when the U.S. modified its policies to allow investments in Cuban private enterprises. However, the Cuban government has not enacted necessary regulations that would enable such investments, leaving significant funding from not only the U.S. but also from other nations unutilized.
The share of Cuba’s electricity derived from renewable resources has only seen a minor increase from 3.8% in 2012 to 5% in 2022. This slow growth is evident, especially when compared to the burgeoning global advancements in both solar and wind energy technologies. As it stands, approximately 95% of Cuba’s electricity is generated from fossil fuels, with a substantial proportion derived from the combustion of crude oil—a notably toxic energy source.
China, a major trading partner and a leading producer of solar panels, has committed to developing numerous solar projects in Cuba, which may add over 3,000 megawatts of energy. Nevertheless, these plans haven’t yet translated into sufficient solar energy generation to address the island’s energy needs effectively. By the end of 2022, Cuba had only managed to install a mere 252 megawatts of solar power, highlighting a considerable lag behind necessary advancements.
It has also been noted that Cuba’s inability to repay debts raises concerns among potential investors, including those in China. The Cuban utility company remains the sole buyer of energy, which poses a significant investment risk. As a result, many European investors hesitate to pour funds into Cuba without more favorable conditions.
Recently, Cuban officials recognized that expanding solar energy generation could have alleviated some of the difficulties experienced during the recent outages. The head of Cuba’s electric utility, Alfredo López, recommended that citizens invest in rooftop solar systems coupled with battery storage instead of relying solely on gas and diesel generators.
Historically, Cuba has faced frequent power supply disruptions, attributed to aging infrastructure, rising electricity demand, and dependency on imported fuels, particularly from Venezuela, Mexico, and Russia. The latest crisis began with the failure of a major power plant, leading to widespread outages that affected schools, closed gas stations, and forced many to resort to cooking outside using wood stoves.
Human-influenced climate shifts have also contributed to increasingly severe weather conditions that adversely impact Cuba’s electrical grid. The public’s discontent over repeated outages has sparked street protests in recent weeks.
While some experts maintain that the Cuban government has shown interest in advancing renewable energy initiatives, tangible progress remains elusive. Technicians are currently working on 26 solar projects across various provinces, and projections indicate a fivefold increase in installations over the next decade.
In addition to its favorable climate, Cuba’s decentralized power generation model could facilitate the integration of solar energy into its electrical system. However, these opportunities have yet to be fully realized. Leadership perceptions still lean heavily towards fossil fuel reliance, suggesting a reluctance to fully embrace alternatives like solar energy.