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🇨🇺 Cuba /Energy & Infrastructure

Cuba Nears Completion of Herradura 1 Wind Farm, Advances Energy Transition

From Granma · (5m ago) Spanish

Translated from Spanish, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

TLDR

  • Cuba is nearing completion of the Herradura 1 wind farm in Las Tunas, which will feature 34 turbines and generate 51 MW.
  • The project is part of Cuba's broader energy transition plan aiming for 24% renewable energy by 2030, 40% by 2035, and 100% by 2050.
  • The Ministry of Energy and Mines is also focusing on reviving older technologies like water-pumping windmills and biogas plants to achieve energy sovereignty.

The Herradura 1 wind farm represents a significant stride in Cuba's ambitious energy transition, a plan that is not merely about adopting new technologies but about fostering a complete cultural shift towards energy independence. As highlighted by Minister Vicente de la O Levy, this transformation begins in schools and extends to leveraging every available resource, including reviving technologies that proved vital during past economic challenges.

Este año se termina el parque de energía eólica Herradura 1, en Las Tunas. Ya están todo el equipamiento, la asistencia técnica, las grúas en el lugar, y pretendemos comenzar a izar las torres a finales de este abril

— Vicente de la O LevyMinister of Energy and Mines announcing the upcoming completion of the Herradura 1 wind farm.

This initiative underscores Cuba's commitment to overcoming its reliance on imported fuels, a vulnerability exacerbated by global market fluctuations. The phased approach, with clear targets for 2030, 2035, and the ultimate goal of 100% renewable energy by 2050, demonstrates a strategic vision for national sovereignty. The emphasis on both large-scale projects like Herradura 1 and the revitalization of smaller, decentralized systems reflects a pragmatic and comprehensive strategy.

A partir del año 2024 y de 2025, se concibe esa política como un proceso inversionista, es una transformación de cultura completa. Que va desde las escuelas, los niños, y utilizar todo el potencial que hay en Cuba de energía, que no es despreciable

— Vicente de la O LevyExplaining the broader vision and cultural shift required for Cuba's energy transition.

While international coverage might focus on the technological aspects or the scale of investment, from a Cuban perspective, this is about resilience and self-sufficiency. The mention of reviving water-pumping windmills and biogas plants, technologies that were once commonplace, speaks to a deep understanding of the nation's history and its capacity to innovate by looking back. This is not just about building new infrastructure; it's about reclaiming and optimizing existing potential to secure a sustainable future for the island.

En Cuba hay 7 827 molinos. Se abandonaron, y hoy hay 5 673 que ya están disponibles

— Vicente de la O LevyHighlighting the potential of reviving existing technologies, specifically water-pumping windmills.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by Granma in Spanish. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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