The Cuban Electric Union reiterates that solar parks do not solve the problem

The Electric Union of Cuba acknowledged this Tuesday that photovoltaic solar parks, while providing partial relief for daytime blackouts, do not represent a comprehensive solution to the energy crisis the country is facing.

This was declared by Lázaro Guerra Hernández, director of Electricity at the Ministry of Energy and Mines, during an appearance on Cuban state television, shared on social media by journalist Lázaro Manuel Alonso.

The parks do not solve the blackouts by themselves, Guerra stated, clarifying that, while solar energy has a positive impact, its limitations prevent it from being a definitive solution to the energy crisis the country has been experiencing for several years.

The official highlighted that the eight solar parks currently in operation are generating the expected energy, with optimal performance in the months of highest solar radiation, such as March and April.

These parks, according to what he said, produce around 1,000 megawatt-hours daily, which represents, according to official studies, the equivalent of one hour less of blackout.

In Guerra’s words: “If we didn’t have the photovoltaic parks at this moment, the impact would be higher.” He added that currently, at the peak of daytime generation (between 11 a.m. and 3 p.m.), these parks contribute between 240 and 250 MW to the national electric system.

Nonetheless, he clarified that this type of generation has obvious limitations. It only works during sunlight hours and does not provide backup capacity for nights or early mornings, when the deficit tends to be more critical.

He noted that the Cuban government is combining solar expansion with a parallel program for the recovery of base and distributed generation, as well as with the reactivation of thermal plants that operate on national crude oil.

During his speech, Guerra announced that five new photovoltaic parks will be operational before the end of April, and it is expected to exceed 300 MW generated from this source.

The government’s ultimate goal is to reach 1,200 MW of solar generation before the end of 2025.

However, he reiterated that this progress will not resolve the underlying issue: “The solution to the impacts lies in increasing the generation capacity of all the technologies we have installed in the system.”

Guerra insisted that the Cuban energy program does not solely depend on the Ministry of Energy and Mines or the Electric Union.

It also involves six other ministries from the Central State Administration and the Revolutionary Armed Forces, in what was described as a coordinated effort by multiple state entities to increase generation, optimize the use of national oil and gas, and strengthen the island’s energy infrastructure.

This is coupled with the urgent need to recover the so-called distributed generation, which consists of electric generation engines installed in various locations throughout the country.

According to the official, this form of generation offers strategic advantages in cases of weather events, emergencies, or failures in the centralized system, which is why it must be maintained with high availability.

“The government program is not just about solar photovoltaics. It also includes all the other technologies that contribute to delivering energy to the national electrical system,” emphasized Guerra.

These statements come amid growing public frustration over the persistence of power outages, which in many regions already exceed 10 hours a day.

Although the authorities insist that efforts are being made to resolve the situation, progress in the installation of renewable energy sources such as solar has not yet translated into significant improvements for the population.

In recent weeks, the Cuban government has intensified its public discourse on the deployment of solar parks as part of its energy strategy, although with an approach that acknowledges its limitations.

In March, authorities highlighted the performance of three new solar parks—located in Havana, Cienfuegos, and Granma—that exceeded production expectations. However, they acknowledged that the structural crisis of the National Electric System continues to be worsened by the deterioration of thermal power plants and the limited energy storage capacity.

One day later, Minister Vicente de la O Levy warned that, although 46 solar parks are planned for installation this year with a capacity of up to 1,000 MW, blackouts will not be eliminated due to the critical state of the electric system, the dependence on fossil fuels, and technological obsolescence.

In April, the Cuban regime publicly reiterated that “no solar park, on its own, will solve the deficit”, pointing out that only with the synchronization of the 92 parks planned until 2026 could the situation be alleviated during peak daytime demand.

The case of La Sabana park in Granma was cited as an example of these limitations: its contribution only accounts for 20% of the provincial demand at noon.

Finally, the ruler Miguel Díaz-Canel confirmed this Tuesday that “there are advances” in the energy program, while not denying the persistence of blackouts.

He reiterated that the solution requires increasing generation capacity through various technologies, which would include the recovery of thermal plants and the improvement of the distributed generation fleet.

Frequently Asked Questions about the Energy Crisis in Cuba and the Role of Solar Parks