US sanctions, power cuts, climate crisis: why Cuba is betting on renewables

"Intense heat hangs over the sugarcane fields near Cuba's eastern coast. In the village of Herradura, a blond-maned horse rests under a palm tree after spending all Saturday in the fields with its owner, Roberto, who cultivates maize and beans. Roberto was among those worst affected by Hurricane Melissa, which hit eastern Cuba the country's poorest region late last year. The storm affected 3.5 million people, damaging or destroying 90,000 homes and 100,000 hectares of crops. Many of us lost everything, he says. Fortunately, we have received some help from the government to recover."

"Without money to buy fuel or pay for transport, Roberto relies on his horse each morning to get to work. Petrol has become prohibitively expensive as Cuba's oil supplies dwindle under tightening US sanctions a problem that adds to chronic power shortages. But on his way to work, Roberto passes electricity lines recently built with Chinese investment to carry power from what is expected to become the island's largest windfarm. The project is part of the government's recent contribution to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), committing Cuba to increasing renewables to 26% of total energy supply by 2035."

"I think the park is a good thing, Roberto says. It will help with electricity and directly benefit the people."

Intense heat and difficult conditions affect sugarcane fields near Cuba's eastern coast and villagers work under strain. Roberto, a Herradura farmer, lost belongings in Hurricane Melissa, which hit eastern Cuba late last year and affected 3.5 million people, damaging or destroying 90,000 homes and 100,000 hectares of crops. Without money for fuel or transport, Roberto relies on his horse because petrol became prohibitively expensive after dwindling oil supplies and tightening US sanctions. Chronic power shortages compound the crisis. Electricity lines built with Chinese investment are planned to connect a large windfarm, and the government has committed to 26% renewables by 2035.

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