Cuban leader Miguel Díaz-Canel led the opening ceremony for the Remedios photovoltaic solar park in Villa Clara this past Friday. This facility, with a capacity of 21.8 megawatts, is part of an ambitious plan to produce up to 1,000 MW in the province through solar energy, according to official reports.
During his visit to the area, Díaz-Canel announced that the country plans to add more than 560 MW of solar power to the national grid by the end of July. With optimism, he told the residents of Remedios, "Nearly covering the midday peak," a statement captured by the state-run Noticiero Nacional de Televisión (NTV).
However, behind the triumphant rhetoric lies a desperate attempt by the regime's propaganda to instill hope in a population weary of unmet promises and chronic blackouts that disrupt daily life, agricultural and industrial production, and even basic services.
The Cuban Presidency claimed on Twitter that once fully operational, the park should save the nation over 8,000 tons of fuel annually. Besides this park, four others are currently under construction in Villa Clara. Yet, these statistics often do not hold up against reality.
Remedios' solar park, heralded as a "strategic project," is the first of its kind completed in the province. The government pushes solar energy as a milestone while ignoring that its contribution remains negligible amidst the collapse of thermal power plants and persistent fuel shortages.
Throughout his visit, Díaz-Canel stuck to a familiar script: praising sacrifice, referencing national history, and urging creativity to "move forward," while failing to offer tangible solutions to power outages or the structural energy crisis suffocating the country.
At the Abel Santamaría sugar mill, Díaz-Canel learned about a production that barely allows for 2.4 MW generation with only one operational boiler. Meanwhile, agricultural, mining, and construction material industries remain halted or barely functioning due to electricity and fuel shortages.
Despite the media fanfare, the announcement of new solar parks appears more like a propaganda act than an effective response to the severe energy crisis. The Cuban population, accustomed to the government's hyperbolic language, continues to wait for concrete actions to ease their daily struggles, rather than inflated promises and self-empowerment speeches.
Understanding Cuba's Solar Energy Plans
What is the capacity of the Remedios solar park?
The Remedios solar park has a capacity of 21.8 megawatts.
How much solar power does the Cuban government plan to add by July?
The government plans to incorporate more than 560 megawatts of solar power into the national grid by the end of July.
What challenges does Cuba face in its energy sector?
Cuba faces challenges such as chronic blackouts, collapsed thermal power plants, and persistent fuel shortages, affecting daily life and various industries.