Latest News

Chinese business bullish on Cuban solar drive, executive says

Hangzhou Duojia Innovation, which disperses solar technology to Cuba, called a Cuban plan to dramatically boost solar generation a win for both nations, promoting China's manufacturing heft and the island's warm climate.

Cuba is desperate to produce electrical power on an island where demand is rising but generation by antiquated oil-fired power plants has actually dropped.

The country's grid collapsed last month, leaving 10 million people without power.

Much of Cuba continues to face hours-long blackouts daily, as generation falls 50% except peak demand.

We believe solar panels are the definitive service in this nation where there is ample sun, said Qiaoming Huang, president of Hangzhou Duojia Innovation, on the sidelines of Havana's International Trade Fair.

As we say in China, with crisis comes opportunity, Huang informed Reuters in an interview.

He stated his company, which sources solar technology from China for small-scale commercial tasks of up to 20 kilowatts in Cuba, had 10 containers of solar panels and lithium batteries on their way from China.

Cuba concurred in April for China to assist it increase solar power's role in its grid, though neither federal government elaborated on financing information.

Right after, Cuban authorities announced they would build 2,000 megawatts of solar power by 2028, with the first 1,000 MW coming online by the summer of 2025 and the second tranche by 2028.

After the October nationwide blackout, Cuba's top leadership appeared to double down on the strategy, a minimum of partly funded with Chinese development credits, according to state-run media.

Currently less than 5% of Cuban energy originates from alternative sources. Cuba's objective for 2030 is 24%.

(source: Reuters)