Cuba is on track to install fifty solar parks by the end of this year, according to the Ministry
The Energy Ministry announced late Wednesday that Cuba was making progress with a China-backed project to install over 50 solar parks in this year, capable of producing more than 1,000 Megawatts. This comes just days after Cuba's outdated grid collapsed, leaving millions without power.
Energy officials released the most detailed report on the progress of the plan, stating that two solar parks were completed in February, one in Havana, and another in Cienfuegos, and six more by the end March.
Ovel ConcepcionDiaz, an Energy Ministry official in charge of renewable energy, stated that eight of the 50 planned solar parks would be operational by the end of March and produce 170 megawatts.
In recent months, the government has been focusing on a broader plan for expanding renewable energy production, which was announced in 2014. The goal is to revitalize the island's ailing economy, and to ease tensions between residents who have endured months of rolling power outages.
By 2030, the goal is to increase renewable energy production from 4% today to 24%. The government said that this goal included building 92 solar park, along with battery storage facilities, wind and hydro-generation projects, as well as other renewable energy projects.
"That goal will not be reached before 2030, and the percentage of renewable generation may be slightly higher," said Rosell Campana Guerra, Cuba's director for renewable energy.
China and Russia are helping Cuba to overcome an energy crisis which has reached a critical point following the four collapses of Cuba's electrical grid since October.
Russia had previously agreed to help Cuba modernize its three oil-fired plants and build a 200-MW power plant to strengthen the grid.
Cuba and China signed a deal in the last year, whereby Beijing agreed to assist the island's Communist government increase solar production. The financial details have not been disclosed by either country.
China announced recently that it would donate materials and expertise for the construction of 22 additional solar parks in Cuba, capable of generating up to 120 MW. This will begin this year.
Cuba's energy crisis is blamed on an embargo imposed by the United States during the Cold War and on new restrictions imposed by President Donald Trump. Trump tightened the sanctions against the country and promised to restore "tough" policies toward the long-time U.S. enemy. (Reporting and editing by Rod Nickel, Marc Frank, Additional reporting by Dave Sherwood)
(source: Reuters)
