Electricity in Cuba in 2023
As of 2023, Cuba's electricity generation is heavily reliant on fossil fuels, making up more than 95% of the total electricity consumption. Gas contributes over 13% to this figure, while low-carbon energy sources lag far behind at roughly 5%. Within these low-carbon sources, biofuels account for a bit more than 2%, and solar energy provides around 1.4%. This heavy dependence on fossil fuels not only contributes to climate change but also exacerbates air pollution, highlighting a critical need for Cuba to diversify its electricity sources towards cleaner, more sustainable options.
Suggestions
To enhance its low-carbon electricity generation, Cuba could draw inspiration from countries that have made significant strides in this area. For instance, adopting nuclear energy could be transformative, as seen in several European nations like Slovakia and Ukraine, where nuclear accounts for more than half of their electricity generation. Similarly, Cuba can look towards countries with successful solar and wind electricity adoption, such as Lebanon's 31% solar generation or Uruguay's impressive 28% wind contribution. Investing in these technologies can not only reduce Cuba's carbon footprint but also improve energy security and reliability.
History
Historically, Cuba's transition toward low-carbon electricity has been sluggish and filled with obstacles. The energy scene saw a few increases in biofuel electricity generation during the late 1970s and 1980s. Notable upticks occurred in 1990 and 1996, followed by a downward trend and modest recoveries in the early 21st century. Solar energy appeared more recently, with a small rise seen in both 2013 and 2019. However, these gains were nominal, and the overall contribution of low-carbon sources remains quite low. Cuba’s inconsistent progress in expanding biofuels and solar demonstrates an urgent need for a robust, well-planned strategy to elevate its clean energy shares and reduce dependence on fossil fuels.
Electrification
We estimate the degree of electrification by comparing electricity and total energy emissions. More about methodology.