Cuba plans solar expansion to ease oil shortages, blackouts

Cuba is preparing to roll out a new energy strategy next week aimed at reducing chronic oil shortages and widespread power outages by significantly expanding solar energy and renewable power generation.

President Miguel Díaz-Canel said the government plans to invest more heavily in solar power so that more households can gain reliable access to electricity. The move comes as the island faces worsening fuel shortages and near-daily blackouts that have disrupted transportation, healthcare, food supplies, and daily life.

During recent remarks, Díaz-Canel said Cuba currently generates about 1,000 megawatts of electricity from solar power, accounting for roughly 38% of daytime electricity demand. Most of that capacity has been installed over the past two years with technical and financial support from China, which has become a key partner in Cuba’s renewable energy push.

The government says the new plan will focus on expanding solar parks, increasing distributed renewable generation, and improving energy storage to stabilize the national grid. Officials hope these investments will reduce dependence on imported fuel and ease pressure on Cuba’s aging power infrastructure, which is prone to breakdowns and fuel-related shutdowns.

In addition to renewables, Díaz-Canel said Cuba will also seek to boost domestic oil extraction and expand fuel storage capacity. The goal is to improve energy security and limit vulnerability to disruptions in foreign oil supplies, which have been strained by U.S. sanctions and shifting regional alliances.

Cuba’s energy crisis has deepened in recent months, with prolonged blackouts becoming common in both urban and rural areas. Officials say the combination of solar expansion, domestic production, and increased storage is intended to stabilize electricity generation while supporting long-term energy independence.

The government has framed the solar investment as a critical step toward reducing blackouts, lowering fuel costs, and modernizing the country’s outdated power grid.

Key Takeaways

• Cuba plans to expand solar power to address fuel shortages and outages.

• Solar now provides about 38% of daytime electricity, with Chinese support.

• The government will also boost domestic oil production and storage.

Cuba turns to solar power to counter US oil blockade