The migration of a significant part of our energy matrix towards renewable sources is an endeavor that Cuba has not renounced, despite the limitations with which it constantly battles.

This would logically imply a significant environmental impact by reducing the consumption of fossil fuels and, at the same time, it would have a great economic impact by reducing imports of these fuels.

The province of Las Tunas is one of the provinces that shows remarkable potential in terms of this objective. The projects being carried out in the Balcón de Oriente aim to fully cover the local demand and, at the same time, contribute to the National Electric System.

In this regard, Granma obtained statements from Carlos Arias Sobrino, director of the provincial Electric Company, who showed ambitious goals in this regard.

THE BENEFITS OF THE SUN

Undoubtedly, the saying that Cuba is an eternal summer is, in terms of renewable sources, much more than a slogan. The intense incidence of sunlight throughout the year makes photovoltaic energy always a viable investment, due to its inexhaustible nature.

Currently, in Las Tunas there is, concerning this source, an installed capacity of 11 megawatts (MW), but the prospects point to remarkable growth, as the executive explained.

"Within the renewable sources program, the construction of two new solar parks is being carried out, with a donation from the Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC). It is only in Las Tunas, in the municipality of Puerto Padre, specifically, called La Viste and La Línea.

"In these two parks work has been going on, although there have been situations with cement and steel, which had improved as of August."

"We have proposed to accelerate their execution, so that, while the negotiation of the technological part is finished, we will have everything ready for the assembly. Between the two, they would contribute 7.5 MW which, added to the 11 MW of installed capacity for the photovoltaic generation that we have now, the province would reach 18.5 MW for this concept."

However, there are more in the pipeline to reach a total installed capacity of 70 MW of solar photovoltaic energy alone.

"In the preparation plan, we already have 12 areas awarded to the company, even, with all the interconnection studies to the electric grids, for 12 more parks. Several of them are projected with a vision of foreign investment. Potential investors have already come and we are waiting for a definition."

It is also worth mentioning that solar energy has become a feasible solution for the electrification of isolated houses, in areas where connection to traditional circuits is very complex. This says a lot about the profoundly social content of all the works carried out by the country, Arias Sobrino explained.

"A program for the installation of autonomous domestic photovoltaic systems is also being implemented. This response to the fact that, after a study conducted in all municipalities, at the end of 2021, we learned that 102 dark houses had increased in areas of difficult access."

"We are working, then, to put service to some of them and replace in others the panels that have been damaged. We intend to conclude in the first quarter of the year," he added.

WINDS ARE BLOWING FOR GOOD

Wind energy is another of the pillars that we can exploit, and in which this eastern territory has a path to explore.

Some time ago, we reported on the project that included the Herradura I and Herradura II wind farms that, with Chinese technology, sought to exploit this renewable source.

While it is true that the harshness of recent years has prevented the project from moving at the pace the country would have liked, work has not stopped, as the director of the Electrical Company in Las Tunas explained.

"Herradura I have not stopped at any time. With the help of the construction agencies and UNE, the execution has been maintained, so it can be said that there is an important advance in civil works."

"By the order of location in which the wind turbine bases are located, they have been casting. Base number 15 is ready and the casting of number 12 is being prepared. In this way, the 22 bases that correspond to the same number of wind turbines, already stored in the territory, will be cast for the construction of a minimum scheme that will have an installed capacity of approximately 30 MW."

"In the case of Herradura II, it is a large investment, with generators of 2.5 MW of power, for a total of 50 MW. That investment is paralyzed, but we aspire to resume it, it is a will of the country."

However, this coastal area has other projections, equally important for the use of its wind energy potential, as the executive pointed out.

"Nearby, the Herradura III project is being prepared, with a potential area of about 30 MW to be installed, which is at a point of cooperative actions, because it has not yet been awarded. Now a wind measurement process is being developed, a study that takes between 10 and 12 months to be able to define and approve the investment."

"In that area, if all these projects are completed, we would have around 130 MW installed. So that we have an idea, that figure can satisfy, at a given time, the demand of the province, just with wind energy". 

Similarly, in the wind renewable energy preparation plan, a project is being worked on in the municipality of Manatí. It is a much larger project, whose study is about 120 MW, with very powerful wind turbine engines. It has already been awarded to a Spanish company and a foreign capital company was created in Cuba to execute the project. The measuring tower has been installed there for five months, at a height of 100 meters, taking the necessary records. The intention with this area is to make a hybrid project, also with solar energy, he says.

All this shows not only the enormous potential that the province has in terms of renewable sources, but also that there is a will to exploit them. It is not for nothing that some experts on the subject have described Las Tunas as the possible capital of renewable energy sources in Cuba.