Under intense heat in eastern Cuba, farmer Roberto tends his maize and bean crops using a horse for transportation, as fuel shortages and rising costs continue to affect daily life. His community was heavily impacted by Hurricane Melissa last year, which affected 3.5 million people and damaged or destroyed 90,000 homes and 100,000 hectares of crops.
As Cuba faces prolonged power outages and economic strain, the government is accelerating investment in renewable energy projects aimed at reducing dependence on imported fuel and strengthening energy resilience.
Recent power cuts have lasted up to 24 hours in some regions, particularly in eastern provinces. Officials say dwindling oil supplies and economic pressures have intensified the country’s longstanding electricity shortages.
Renewable Energy Targets
Cuba has committed under the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) to increase renewables to 26% of total energy supply by 2035. The country’s renewable expansion includes solar and wind projects supported in part by Chinese investment.
In December 2024, Havana and Beijing signed agreements to build seven solar parks with a combined capacity of 35 megawatts (MW). By October 2025, 35 solar parks had been completed, generating up to 750MW and contributing to estimated fossil fuel savings of more than 111,000 tonnes, according to government data.
Cuba aims to install 92 solar parks totaling 2 gigawatts (GW) by 2028. Installed renewable generation capacity increased by 350% during 2025, with renewables now supplying roughly 9% of peak daytime electricity demand of about 3,200MW.
One recently completed solar facility near Vertientes in Camagüey province produces 21.8MW that feeds directly into the national grid. However, limited battery-storage capacity remains a challenge, particularly as peak electricity demand typically occurs in the evening hours.
Wind Energy Development
The island currently operates four experimental windfarms with a combined capacity of 11.8MW. A larger wind project in Herradura, expected to generate 33MW from 22 turbines, is scheduled to begin operations later this year.
New transmission lines have been constructed in rural areas to connect these renewable projects to the national grid.
Economic Constraints and Infrastructure Gaps
Energy experts note that Cuba’s broader energy transition strategy, published in September 2024, outlines plans to increase domestic oil production and expand renewables with the long-term goal of generating electricity entirely from national resources.
However, analysts estimate that the transition could require investments of $8 billion to $10 billion over the next decade. Cuba’s aging transmission infrastructure also presents efficiency challenges, with approximately 16% of generated electricity reportedly lost during distribution.
Specialists emphasize that expanding renewable generation must be accompanied by upgrades to grid infrastructure and storage systems to ensure reliability.
Climate Vulnerability
Cuba is considered among the countries highly vulnerable to extreme weather events, according to assessments by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC). Researchers note that hurricanes, flooding, droughts, and unusual temperature fluctuations have intensified in recent years.
Environmental historians also point to long-term land degradation, including deforestation linked to sugar production during the colonial and early industrial periods, as a factor reducing resilience to climate impacts.
Social Impact
While solar panels are increasingly visible in some urban and rural communities, access remains uneven. A single solar panel can cost around £100, compared with an average monthly salary of approximately £10 in some provinces last year. As a result, private installations are more common among entrepreneurs or households receiving remittances from abroad.
Recent emergency measures allow individuals to sell electricity generated from renewable sources to third parties, including businesses and public institutions, potentially reshaping local energy markets.
In Herradura, residents express cautious optimism that the new windfarm and solar parks will ease electricity shortages. However, many say broader economic challenges — including agricultural constraints and infrastructure needs — remain pressing concerns.
Cuba’s renewable expansion reflects a broader effort to address power reliability, climate vulnerability, and long-term energy security amid continuing financial limitations.
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