“The right path for Cuba is the sun, energy independence is national independence.” A firm statement from Rossel Guerra, head of Cuba’s renewable energy directorate, as he recently outlined Cuba’s sustainable energy targets:

Cuba established a commitment to stop emitting 6 million tons of carbon dioxide per year into the atmosphere, as part of a comprehensive program that includes changing the energy matrix, [Guerra] recalled.

According to Guerra, among the main investments planned are 25 bioelectric plants, which will take advantage of the bagasse (residue) of sugarcane and forest biomass.

…

Guerra explained that three bioelectric plants are in the execution phase, another eight are the object of negotiations for the creation of joint ventures and the remaining 14 are part of the portfolio of opportunities that will be presented at the next Cuba Sustainable Energy Forum 2018, from January 30 to February 1.

The specialist also highlighted the program for the use of wind energy, with 14 zones under construction, which will provide six percent of the total electricity generation planned for 2030 from renewable sources.

Of the 14 wind enclaves, 10 were awarded to foreign investors and four are in the process of negotiation, said the expert, who also highlighted the purpose of installing more than 200 solar photovoltaic zones and 74 small hydroelectric plants.

By 2030, he summarized, Cuba plans to produce 7,316 gigawatts/hour (GW/h) per year from renewable energy sources, which will represent 24 percent of the country’s total generation by that date, estimated at some 30,000 GW/h.

Read the full report from Prensa Latina.

See also: the website of the Cuba Sustainable Energy Forum 2018.

Previously on Green Antilles: Construction underway on 101MW windfarm in Cuba.

[Image credit: lezumbalaberenjena]