Cuba’s Fuel Crisis Turns the Island Into a Solar Test Case

Cuba is rapidly becoming a solar-powered island due to the U.S. naval blockade, which prevents fuel from reaching the island. Despite the decades-old U.S. embargo on Cuba, imports of solar technology from the U.S. are surging, with exports of solar cells and modules from the U.S. to Cuba topping $6.3 million over the first seven months of the year - a 1,070% increase.

China, Cuba's largest supplier of solar panels and modules, has seen a 83% decrease in solar imports from the previous year. This ironic situation arises from former President Trump's attitude towards alternative energy technologies, which led to the reduction of subsidies for these technologies. In the absence of subsidies, Cuba is forced to find alternative ways to generate electricity due to the U.S. blockade.

There are now 144 solar installations in Cuba, with a combined capacity of 1,418 MW, making up 20% of the nation's total electricity needs. However, the solar expansion lacks utility-scale battery storage, which is crucial for backup during night and cloudy days. Battery storage equipment is banned for export to Cuba under U.S. sanctions, making it a challenge for the island.

This situation highlights that solar technology without battery backup is not the optimal alternative to hydrocarbons, a lesson European countries have recently learned with their heavily solar-dependent systems. The U.S. has seized $3 million worth of biofuel en route to Cuba, demonstrating their determination to discourage fuel imports.

Despite producing about 40% of the crude needed for its fuel consumption, Cuba relies on the U.S. and its solar panels to keep the island functioning.