Cuba now has a large solar park, which was officially launched in Havana on Friday. The event, attended by President Miguel Díaz-Canel, marked a milestone in the country’s efforts to revitalize its energy sector. The solar park, located in the Cotorro district, was inaugurated as part of the government’s initiative to increase the use of renewable energy sources.
According to Ricardo Mangana Pérez, director of Fuentes Renovables de Energía, the solar park consists of 42,588 solar modules, each with a capacity of 550 watts. During a test run, the total capacity of the park reached 21.7 megawatts. The new facility is expected to save around 8,700 tons of diesel fuel per year, reducing the country’s reliance on fossil fuels.
Energy and Mining Minister Vicente de la O Levy announced that another similar solar park will be launched next week. The government has previously announced plans to build 55 such facilities across the country this year, with the aim of generating over a third of the country’s electricity from renewable sources by the end of the decade.
The construction of solar panels is a key project in Cuba, with the slogan “The sun cannot be blocked” encapsulating the government’s commitment to harnessing the country’s natural resources. Experts note that Cuba’s geographical location makes it an ideal location for solar energy production, with the sun’s rays remaining strong throughout the year, even on cloudy days and during rainfall. However, the successful implementation of the government’s plans will require significant investments.