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🇨🇺 Cuba /Energy & Infrastructure

Cuban Tobacco Twists Also with the Sun's Energy

From Granma · (1h ago) Spanish Positive tone

Translated from Spanish, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

TLDR

  • The ABTT Las Tunas company is incorporating solar panels to power its tobacco processing factories, aiming to overcome electricity service instability.
  • This initiative seeks to mitigate production losses, which previously exceeded 400,000 export-quality cigars and 1.5 million domestic units annually, costing over 26 million pesos in revenue.
  • The energy transition also includes agricultural applications, with solar-powered irrigation systems for seedbeds to ensure optimal planting and improve yields.

In Las Tunas, the Empresa de Acopio, Beneficio y Torcido del Tabaco (ABTT) is taking a significant step towards energy independence and production stability by integrating solar power into its operations. This strategic shift, driven by the need to combat the disruptive effects of an unreliable electrical grid, is not merely an upgrade but a vital measure to safeguard the future of Cuba's renowned tobacco industry.

For years, the ABTT has grappled with frequent power outages, leading to substantial losses in both production volume and revenue. The installation of photovoltaic panels in factories like Vidal Navas, Maniabón, and Enrique Casals, dedicated to both domestic consumption and international markets, directly addresses these challenges. This move is expected to not only restore lost production capacity, estimated at over 400,000 export-quality cigars and 1.5 million domestic units annually, but also to recover significant annual revenue exceeding 26 million pesos.

the use of renewable energy sources has been part of the entity's strategic projection

— Carlos Betancourt AlmaguerDirector of Development at ABTT, explaining the company's long-term vision for energy.

The transformation extends beyond the processing plants. The agricultural sector is also benefiting, with the implementation of solar-powered systems for irrigation in seedbed houses. This ensures that crucial planting can occur at the optimal time, thereby enhancing crop yields and bolstering the overall security of the tobacco cultivation program. This holistic approach underscores Cuba's commitment to leveraging renewable energy across its key economic sectors, demonstrating resilience and innovation in the face of external economic pressures.

This initiative represents more than just an energy transition; it is a testament to Cuba's ingenuity and determination to maintain its position as a global leader in tobacco production. By embracing solar technology, the ABTT is not only ensuring consistent production and improved working conditions for its employees, who can now rely on a stable work environment, but also reinforcing the legacy of an industry deeply rooted in the nation's history since the 18th century. This forward-thinking approach promises to revitalize the sector and secure its prosperity for generations to come.

workers come to the centers with the security that they are going to work. Before, when the electricity service was interrupted, they went to their homes and their salaries were affected.

— Carlos Betancourt AlmaguerDescribing the positive impact of stable energy on the workforce.
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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