Catholic Church in Trinidad Seeks Donations for Solar Panels Amid Ongoing Energy Crisis

The Parish of the Holy Trinity in Trinidad, located in Sancti Spíritus, has issued a public appeal for donations to fund the installation of solar panels on its church building. This initiative is a response to the severe electrical crisis in Cuba, which shows no signs of improvement in the near future.

In a straightforward letter, Fr. Léster Rafael Zayas Díaz, the parish priest, highlighted the ongoing energy challenges facing Cuba: “It is well known that Cuba is dealing with an energy crisis that won't be resolved soon,” he stated.

The estimated cost of the solar panel project is around 9,000 euros, or its equivalent in dollars, a sum that the parish cannot afford alone.

To combat rising costs in Cuba, the Parochial Council has decided to preemptively allocate 6,000 euros from a fund originally meant for church repairs, while continuing to collect the remaining amount from parishioners, expatriates, and others willing to help.

This effort seeks not just to power religious services and activities but to provide crucial support to the community. According to the letter, the solar installation would assist vulnerable members by allowing them to charge devices and prepare food during extensive power outages.

“Our parish is more than a building; it is the spiritual home of our people, a place of prayer, gathering, comfort, and hope across generations,” wrote Fr. Zayas Díaz, emphasizing the urgency of the project.

Those interested in contributing can send funds to a BBVA account in Spain, registered under the parish priest, or to a savings account at Scotiabank in the Dominican Republic, suitable for donors in the United States and other parts of the Americas.

“Every contribution, no matter how small, is received with heartfelt gratitude. We appeal to the generosity of each individual, fully aware that under current circumstances, any donation represents a sacrifice,” the priest concluded.

Context of the Energy Crisis

The appeal comes amidst one of the most severe energy shortages in the province. Back in June 2026, Sancti Spíritus experienced power outages lasting up to 50 hours, with electricity available for less than three hours a day.

On July 10, a failure in the 220 kV line connecting Santa Clara and Sancti Spíritus led to the fourth nationwide blackout of the year, affecting 73% of the country. On that same day, Cuban leader Miguel Díaz-Canel merely urged better organization of these outages, acknowledging their impact on water supply and food preparation.

The Trinidad Parish is not alone in its pursuit of energy independence through solar power. In May 2026, a severe storm nearly destroyed the solar setup of Our Lady of the Rosary Parish in Palma Soriano, which supported a dining facility for nearly 100 vulnerable individuals.