Electricity in Cuba in 2022

In 2022, Cuba's electricity consumption was heavily reliant on fossil fuels, which accounted for over 95% of its total electricity generation. This dependency represents a significant challenge, given the global shift towards more sustainable energy sources. Natural gas, another fossil energy, made up nearly 9% of the mix. In total contrast, low-carbon energy sources contributed a little under 5% to Cuba’s electricity consumption. Within this small share, biofuels provided over 2%, while solar power accounted for nearly 1.5%. This indicates a substantial opportunity for Cuba to enhance its green energy footprint by expanding its low-carbon energy sources, which can significantly mitigate climate change and reduce air pollution caused by fossil fuel usage.

Suggestions

Looking towards other countries' successes in increasing low-carbon electricity generation, Cuba could benefit from emulating some strategic approaches. For instance, Uruguay, which shares a middle-income status similar to Cuba, generates 36% of its electricity from wind. Meanwhile, countries like Chile and Greece have seen commendable progress with solar energy contributing 21% and 22%, respectively, to their electricity mix. These examples demonstrate the potential Cuba has in developing solar and wind infrastructure due to its favorable climatic conditions. Furthermore, learning from European nations such as Slovakia and Ukraine, where nuclear energy provides more than half of their electricity, could guide Cuba in exploring nuclear technology as a reliable and large-scale clean energy source.

History

Reflecting on the history of low-carbon electricity in Cuba, the trajectory has been a series of modest changes over the years. Throughout the 1970s and 1980s, biofuels saw minimal fluctuations. The 1990s experienced more declines than gains, with minor improvements happening sporadically. A notable decline occurred in 1993 and 2005 when biofuels saw reductions of 0.4 TWh. As the 21st century progressed, solar energy emerged slightly in the 2010s, with an increase of 0.1 TWh in 2013 and another in 2018, marking the beginnings of its contribution. Overall, Cuba's journey towards low-carbon electricity has been slow, underscoring the urgent need for a strategic pivot towards expanding nuclear, wind, and solar energy capacities. This shift would align with global energy trends and secure a more sustainable and resilient future for Cuba's electricity generation.

Electricity Imports and Exports

Balance of Trade

Data Sources