The Cuban government is accelerating its renewable energy plans as it faces a US oil blockade that has severely impacted the island's economy. In an interview with Reuters, Cuban Energy Minister Vicente de la O Levy emphasized that the blockade has pushed Cuba to rely on domestic resources, including solar, wind, and Cuban crude oil. The country has installed 144 solar farms with a combined capacity of 1,418 megawatts, with China being the primary supplier of solar panels.
The US blockade, which began in January, has restricted oil shipments to Cuba, including halting fuel exports from Venezuela and imposing tariffs on countries exporting oil to the island. Only one oil tanker from Russia has reached Havana since the blockade. The US has allowed limited oil shipments to Cuba's private sector, but these fall far short of the country's needs, covering less than 3% of its fuel requirements, according to de la O Levy.
Cuba's electrical grid, which is heavily reliant on fossil fuels, generates only 40% of its electricity from domestic oil production. As of 2023, renewable energy sources accounted for just 9% of the country's energy consumption. Despite these challenges, de la O Levy stated that Cuba is gradually making progress through its own solutions and the resilience of its people.
The United Nations and human rights watchdogs have criticized the oil blockade as a violation of international law. Cuban Foreign Minister Bruno Rodriguez Parrilla condemned the blockade at the UN General Assembly, calling it an unprecedented action. The US has maintained an economic embargo on Cuba for over 60 years, with President Donald Trump intensifying the pressure through a 'maximum pressure' campaign aimed at toppling Cuba's government.
In October, US authorities seized 90 biodiesel fuel shipments valued at over $2.8 million destined for Cuba, claiming they violated federal export laws. However, de la O Levy denied any link between the Cuban government and these shipments, stating that no state-owned company has secured a fuel contract.