Cubans use solar power to fight blackouts as US tightens its grip on oil

Cubans scramble to install solar panels in their homes, businesses and vehicles as Washington prevents oil from reaching the Caribbean’s largest island. This contributes to electricity generation shortfalls.

U.S. sanctions, a deep recession and the economic crisis in Venezuela have made it difficult for the government to buy enough fuel. A recent 'drought' of shipments due to U.S. sanctions has also caused a?drought? in Mexico and Venezuela. Tariff threats have worsened the existing shortages.

CHINA HELPS TO FINANCE SOLAR GREEN GROWTH

Cuban government has installed solar power of up to 1,000 megawatts in the last year with the help of Chinese funding and equipment donated. They promise to double this capacity in the future. Some private citizens, however, have taken matters into themselves.

Roberto Sarriga, a Havana resident, said that a friend had offered to help him invest in solar panels and set up everything.

Sarriga stated that solar panels would allow him to have internet access, charge his mobile phone so people can?locate him and power his TV in order to keep his mother entertained by watching her favorite soap operas.

The idea was to have at least the basics covered.

These panels are imported and sold by the dollar, and out of reach for most Cubans. However, they have provided a solution to a growing group of private business owners, and people who still receive money from their relatives overseas.

In an effort to encourage these investments, the government announced late Thursday new measures to waive personal tax?for as long as eight years? for business people who invest in renewable energy projects.

As fuel runs out, the demand for fuel is increasing.

Raydel Cano is a solar panel installer who has been working in Havana's capital for the past several weeks. He said that demand was increasing because fuel had run out.

He said that private businesses feel obligated to install solar panels, pointing out that the alternatives to 100% renewable energy have mostly become outdated as the grid has faltered.

Dariem Soto Navarro, manager of Havana Cafe, said that installing solar panels is more expensive upfront but it's the best option because diesel has become increasingly hard to find.

He said that it was not only a green, clean energy but also optimised operating costs. It is, without a shadow of a doubt, one of the most cost-effective solutions for entrepreneurs and private businesses.

Alejandro Arritola told reporters that he installed solar panels on his tricycle-taxi's roof to help him go further if he ran out of fuel.

He said that his family is able to travel with ease, despite the fuel shortages. "If there is no public transport, it does not matter." Trump says that its actions?increase the pressure on Cuba for political change. Karoline Laavitt, White House Press Secretary on Wednesday, said that it is in Cuba's best interest to make "dramatic changes very soon." U.N. warned that if Cuba’s energy needs were not met, this could lead to a humanitarian emergency. Already suffering from severe shortages of fuel, food and medicine, the island has implemented rationing to protect essential services. Izvestia reported last week that Russia, Cuba's only remaining oil supplier, was preparing to ship crude in the near term. The newspaper did not give a date. (Reporting and writing by Anett Rios and Alien Fernandez; editing by Dave Sherwood, Sharon Singleton and Sarah Morland)

(source: Reuters)