Construction Progresses on Fourth Solar Park in Cienfuegos

Joint forces from Cuba’s Ministry of Construction—particularly the Construction Company for Architectural Works No. 37, which serves as the main contractor—are advancing the development of a new Photovoltaic Solar Park (PSPV) in the province of Cienfuegos.

Salvador Vera Hernández, Project Director at the Provincial Electric Company of Cienfuegos (EEPC), told the Cuban News Agency that work is currently underway on the 32-hectare site, focusing on tasks such as the installation of piles in preparation for mounting the solar structures.

He explained that the project, funded by the Electric Company, will have a capacity of 21.8 megawatts, include more than 1,600 photovoltaic structures, and feature approximately 43,000 panels.

The facility will also be equipped with essential components such as electrical and communication networks, grounding and lightning protection systems, fire detection systems, control panels housed in primary and secondary containers, necessary utilities, exterior lighting, and a perimeter fence.

Vera Hernández noted that the plant’s commissioning is scheduled for early next year, depending on progress at the construction site.

Located in the small settlement of Pepe Rivas—about four kilometers outside the city of Cienfuegos—the park will connect to the power lines originating from the Carlos Manuel de Céspedes thermoelectric plant, according to Attius Rodríguez Peña, Director of the Renewable Energy Sources Business Unit at EEPC.

He added that the area is ideal for photovoltaic generation, which justified its selection for the new facility.

As part of Cuba’s national renewable energy generation program, the southern province plans to build five solar parks by 2026. Three of them—Alcalde Mayor, La Yuca, and Mal Tiempo—are already operational, while a fifth remains pending completion of a related substation project.

In addition to these ongoing investments since 2024, Cienfuegos already operates six smaller solar installations in the municipalities of Aguada de Pasajeros, Abreus, Rodas, Cruces, Palmira, and the provincial capital.

Rodríguez Peña stated that these facilities have been in operation for several years—since 2014, when the first one was inaugurated—and could be upgraded using surplus panels from the new projects once they are completed.