Cuba's current electricity landscape is heavily reliant on fossil fuels, with more than 95% of its electricity being generated from fossil sources. Gas contributes about 13% to this figure, clearly showcasing the dominance of non-clean energy types in the country's power sector. In stark contrast, clean or low-carbon energy sources make up less than 5% of Cuba's electricity generation. A small portion of this, around 2%, comes from biofuels, while solar energy provides just over 1%, indicating a significant opportunity for Cuba to expand its clean energy usage. The limited share of low-carbon energy in Cuba's electricity mix highlights the pressing need for a transition toward more sustainable energy solutions.

Data sources used on this page include Ember, IEA and World Bank. More about data sources →

Is Electricity Growing in Cuba?

Electricity consumption in Cuba is experiencing a notable decline, with the latest figures from 2023 showing a per capita consumption of 1387 kWh, a stark decrease of 468 kWh from the historical high of 1856 kWh in 2018. This downward trend in electricity use is concerning, as it suggests a lack of growth in a sector essential for economic and social development, especially as the world moves toward increased electrification. Moreover, the decline is also visible in the low-carbon electricity domain, with the current generation amounting to only 65 kWh per person, compared to the previous peak of 145 kWh per person in 1990, marking an 80 kWh decrease. Such a reduction in both general and low-carbon electricity consumption points to an urgent need for strategic investments and improvements in the country's energy infrastructure.

Suggestions

To boost low-carbon electricity generation, Cuba can look to regions that have successfully harnessed clean energy sources. Countries like France and Slovakia have significantly invested in nuclear power, achieving more than two-thirds of their electricity from this source, demonstrating the potential for nuclear energy to play a pivotal role in Cuba's clean energy future. Similarly, Nevada in the United States has effectively utilized solar power to produce a third of its electricity, providing a model for Cuba to capitalize on its abundant solar resources. Meanwhile, countries like Uruguay have made strides with wind energy, contributing around a third of its power production. By emulating these successes, Cuba can increase its reliance on low-carbon energy, particularly through solar and potentially nuclear energy, reducing reliance on fossil fuels.

History

Historically, Cuba's low-carbon electricity landscape has been shaped predominantly by biofuels with minimal solar input. In the late 1980s and early 1990s, there were minor increases in biofuel contribution, but this was often followed by periods of decline, indicating fluctuating commitment or challenges in this area. The early 2000s through the 2010s saw continued variability with minor gains and losses in biofuel electricity generation, lacking a significant long-term upward trend. Solar energy made a very modest entry in 2018 with an addition of just 0.1 TWh, illustrating the slow pace at which solar energy has been integrated into the energy mix. Such historical data underscores the need for Cuba to pivot its focus towards more robust and scalable low-carbon technologies like nuclear and solar to achieve sustainable energy growth.

Electricity Imports and Exports

Balance of Trade