Cuba launches solar parks to combat power blackouts, plans 55 by year-end

Cuban President Miguel Díaz-Canel has announced plans to combat the country's severe electricity crisis by implementing a series of solar parks, aiming to generate over 1,200 MW of solar energy by the end of 2025. The first solar park, developed in collaboration with China, recently went online, with additional parks slated to follow, which are expected to help alleviate frequent power outages affecting daily life in Cuba. Despite these initiatives, critics question the government's track record on fulfilling energy promises, with many viewing the solar expansion as overly ambitious given the nation's outdated power infrastructure. Currently, Cuba’s electricity output is heavily reliant on aging thermoelectric plants and Venezuelan oil imports, alongside temporary measures like renting floating power plants. The government hopes to increase renewable energy generation from 5% to 12% this year and aims to generate over a third of its electricity from renewables by 2030. However, the efficacy of these measures remains uncertain amid ongoing economic challenges and a history of unfulfilled commitments.