Cuba Approves Measures for Renewable Energy Use Amid Crisis, Exempts Solar Imports from Tax

Cuba's government has enacted two new resolutions aimed at boosting the use of renewable energy sources and easing the tax burden on both private and state entities investing in the sector. These measures come as the island nation grapples with a severe energy crisis.

Resolution 180/2026, published in the Official Gazette and effective immediately, exempts individuals and legal entities from customs duties when importing solar photovoltaic systems, along with their essential parts and components. This exemption also extends to imports of solar water heaters, photovoltaic pumps, small wind turbines, geomembrane biodigesters, biogas-powered motor pumps, solar lighting systems, and solar air conditioning units.

The new regulations also cover chargers for electric vehicles powered by renewable energy sources and equipment for processing biomass into energy, including their fundamental parts. Furthermore, the resolution introduces modifications such as tax incentives on profits and personal income for legal and natural persons who undertake investments in renewable energy sources for public service facilities, recognizing this as part of their social responsibility.

Yenisley Ortiz, Cuba's deputy minister of Finance and Prices, explained that these investments are targeted at facilities like polyclinics, maternity homes, clinics, family care centers, multi-family buildings, residences for electro-dependent individuals, and water pumping systems in municipalities. This reflects a strategic focus on critical infrastructure and vulnerable populations.

Concurrently, Resolution 179/2026 amends a previous regulation from May 2026, broadening the scope for the purchase and sale of energy generated from biomass and wind power that is fed into the National Electric System (SEN). The earlier regulation had primarily prioritized solar photovoltaic energy. Cuba has been experiencing a profound energy crisis since mid-2024, attributed to both internal factors, such as limited electricity production capacity, and external pressures, including U.S. sanctions that restrict the island's ability to import crude oil and its derivatives.

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investments in polyclinics, maternity homes, clinics, family care centers, multi-family buildings, residences for electro-dependent individuals, and also in water pumping in the municipalities.