US sanctions, power cuts, climate crisis: why Cuba is betting on renewables
Why it matters: Cuba's pivot to renewables showcases a nation under pressure strategically leveraging green energy for survival, potentially creating opportunities for international collaboration and investment in a market previously dominated by fossil fuels.
- Cuba is investing in renewable energy projects, including a large wind farm with Chinese investment, to reduce dependence on fossil fuels and mitigate power shortages.
- The Cuban government acknowledges the urgency of transitioning to renewables to combat the impacts of climate change, which are exacerbated by historical environmental degradation from the sugar industry, according to University of Havana professor Reinaldo Funes.
- US sanctions and the halt of Venezuelan oil shipments have intensified Cuba's energy crisis, leading to prolonged power outages and pushing the government to prioritize renewable energy development, despite the economic challenges.
Beset by US sanctions, dwindling oil supplies, and increasingly severe climate events, Cuba is accelerating its transition to renewable energy, aiming for 26% renewables by 2035. The shift, driven by chronic power shortages and the need to adapt to climate change, is seen as crucial for the island's economic survival and resilience.
