Cuba forges ahead with renewable energy plans amid US oil blockade

illuminem summarises for you the essential news of the day, reviewed by our editorial team. Read the full piece on Al Jazeera or enjoy below:

🗞️ Driving the news: Cuba is accelerating its renewable energy transition as a US oil blockade deepens fuel shortages and strains the country’s economy
• Energy Minister Vicente de la O Levy said the island is increasingly relying on domestic resources, including solar, wind, tides, Cuban crude oil and natural gas
• The country has installed 144 solar farms with a combined capacity of approximately 1,418 megawatts, with China supplying most of its solar panels

🔭 The context: Since January 2026, Washington has restricted oil supplies to Cuba, first halting Venezuelan shipments and then threatening tariffs on countries exporting oil to the island
• Only one Russian oil tanker has arrived since the restrictions began
• While the US has increased oil shipments to private Cuban businesses, Havana says these supplies cover less than 3% of the country’s fuel needs
• The government’s ageing electricity grid remains heavily dependent on fossil fuels, while shortages have contributed to prolonged blackouts and disrupted access to essential services

🌍 Why it matters for the planet: Expanding solar power could reduce Cuba’s dependence on imported fossil fuels, strengthen energy security and cut electricity-related emissions
• However, renewables accounted for only 9% of the country’s total energy consumption in 2023, pointing out the scale of the transition still required

⏭️ What’s next: Cuba may need to expand renewable generation, modernise its electricity grid and develop storage and distribution capacity to turn new solar installations into reliable power
• The pace of progress will depend on access to equipment, financing and the resources needed to maintain its energy infrastructure amid continued economic pressure

💬 One quote: “We are surviving and moving forward, little by little, even if not at the pace we would like,” said Energy Minister Vicente de la O Levy.

📈 One stat:  1,418 MW — the combined capacity of the 144 solar farms installed in Cuba in recent years, according to the energy minister

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