Cuba is one of the last bastions that refuses to adopt the capitalist system.
This implies virtually the absence of private initiative and as a result of this a great deficiency in infrastructure.
The most common is to make a simplistic association of ideas of “limited resources = poor capabilities.”
Nothing further from reality.
As in other areas (like medicine), in the field of solar energy in Cuba are people with experience and good know-how.
On one hand we have the importance that Cuban gives to “have a say” and on the other hand we have the “times” in which things in Cuba move and respect that we must have free of prejudices about political culture.
Cuba needs to take firm steps toward energy independence by implementing a series of initiatives that are a future investment to counter the problems that have to oil stock up and the harm this means for the country’s economy.
In 2012 Cuba had in its energy matrix 4% of renewable energy and the expectations are to meet the 10% clean energy sources by 2020.
The renewable sources use has helped communities to reduce ecosystem pressure and deforestation caused by the massive use of firewood.
In the country currently operate 13 wind farms and 19 bioelectric plants providing 633 and 755 MW, respectively, to the national grid system.
Energy sovereignty is feasible with 1,100 MW wind power potential and high solar radiation received on its territory located in the Tropic of Cancer, reaches 5 kWh/m2 daily radiation (1.825 kW/m2 per year).
The first experiences in solar energy incorporation have been linked to rural electrification projects. Since the late 80s and early 90s, a program was initiated with the goal of bringing electricity to all rural mountainous and inaccessible regions to improve the quality of its inhabitants life.
After thawing relations initiated in December 2014 by Raul Castro and Barack Obama and the reform process initiated by Castro in 2008 (creation of Mariel special development zone and new Foreign Investment Law) the new economic climate favors the renewable energies development with the presence of some 100% foreign companies.
The expected increase in island tourism demand will cause construction activation, especially for hotels, boosting industry participation in the renewable energies development.
Cuba set a target of 700 MW PV to reach 24% renewables by 2030, reduce their energy costs and diversify its current energy mix in which 94% of electricity production is covered by fossil fuels (about 50.000 barrels a day of own production + 75.000 imports).
The Abu Dhabi Development Fund will enable Cuba to diversify its energy matrix and increasing renewable energy, particularly solar and wind.
This fund, which provides financial support to developing countries, will support a project to generate 10 MW of solar energy, which will increase by 50% the current installed capacity.
It also promotes an ongoing project until 2017 to desalinate water incorporating photovoltaics and small wind technology in new plants.
Solar energy business in Latam with Sopelia