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🇨🇺 Cuba /Good News

Biogás, transporte y esperanza

From Granma · (1d ago) Spanish Positive tone

Summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

TLDR

  • A shortage of fuel, attributed to the U.S. blockade, has severely limited vehicle circulation in Cuba's Matanzas province.
  • Residents express hope in a new biometane plant that will power five buses, using locally sourced organic waste.
  • This initiative represents Cuba's first plant of its kind, transforming organic matter into biogas for fuel and fertilizer, embodying a circular economy approach.

In the municipality of Martí, Matanzas, the scarcity of vehicles is starkly evident, a direct consequence of the illegal and persistent blockade that restricts fuel access. The roads, often empty save for horse-drawn carts and a few electric tricycles, paint a grim picture of the daily struggle faced by Cubans.

es como si le hubiera caído “maleza” a los carros

— Local farmerDescribing the scarcity of vehicles due to fuel shortages.

However, amidst these difficulties, a beacon of hope has emerged. The community is pinning its faith on a pioneering project: five buses powered by biometane, a clean and renewable energy source derived from local organic waste. This innovative solution offers a tangible prospect for improving mobility and alleviating the hardships imposed by external pressures.

This initiative marks a significant milestone as it is the first plant of its kind in Cuba. It demonstrates the nation's ingenuity in harnessing domestic resources to overcome external challenges. The process involves transforming organic matter, primarily from local pig farms, into biogas through a sophisticated biodigester system.

Tenemos mucha fe en eso, la cosa tiene que mejorar

— Tomás AmaroExpressing hope in the biometane bus project.

The biometane produced will fuel the buses, while the residual waste will be repurposed as organic fertilizer. This closed-loop system exemplifies a commitment to sustainability and resourcefulness, turning waste into a valuable commodity and offering a glimmer of hope for a brighter future in Martí.

las guaguas del territorio están montadas en burros y un pasaje en almendrón de aquí a Cárdenas cuesta mil quinientos pesos

— Young residentIllustrating the dire state of public transportation.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by Granma. Summarized and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.