CubaPLUS Magazine

Achieving 100 percent participation of clean energy in Cuba's energy matrix is more than a vision for the country, it is a goal, said Minister of Energy and Mines Vicente de la O on Wednesday.

When inaugurating the 3rd Fair of Renewable Energies and Energy Efficiency (in Pabexpo until the 20th), De la O considered that the construction of a prosperous and sustainable socialism, with energy sovereignty, support for the mitigation of climate change, and the fulfillment of sustainable development objectives must necessarily involve the use of renewable energy sources (RES) and their rational use.

A path that must overcome technological challenges and cultural change, requires the participation of the entire society, he said. Referring to the Policy for the prospective development of renewable sources and the efficient use of energy, he said that it became the roadmap for the country's energy transition and to move towards a sovereign and energy-sustainable future.

The strategy outlined, he continued, is comprehensive in nature and achieves the main objectives, actions and goals to guarantee a safe and fair transition towards environmentally friendly technologies. They reduce emissions of polluting gases and are in total coherence with international commitments signed by the Island.

The aim is to improve service to our people and reactivate the economy, said de la O. Not exempt from challenges, today Cuba has 300 megawatts of photovoltaic energy that allow 300 thousand families to have electricity at midday to cook their food, 11.4 megawatts of wind energy, three megawatts installed in hydroelectric plants that transformed the lives of several rural communities, as well as 62 megawatts installed in a modern bioelectric plant to take advantage of sugarcane biomass.

This meant that energy efficiency contributed to the reduction of consumption by thousands of tons of equivalent oil, but above all it contributes to the promotion of an awareness about its rational use. Despite the unprecedented intensification of the economic, commercial and financial blockade to which the country is subjected and the complex economic situation, progress is being made towards the vision of 100 percent renewable energy.
The installation of more than two thousand megawatts of solar photovoltaic energy is underway, which allows us to take firm steps toward the goals set. In addition, progress is being made in the construction of two wind farms and 13 small hydroelectric plants are in preparation.

De la O also thanked the support of the European Union and other international organizations and urged the participants to engage in fruitful exchanges. On this first day of the event, Prime Minister Manuel Marrero also attended and cut the inaugural ribbon. (Taken from Prensa Latina)