Díaz-Canel Attends Inauguration of New Solar Park

Miguel Díaz-Canel, First Secretary of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of Cuba and President of the Republic, attended the inauguration of the "Mártires de Barbados II" solar park today in Guanajuay, Artemisa.

According to a post on X by the Presidency, this park completes the first stage of installing a donation from the People's Republic of China equivalent, in its two parts, to 120 megawatts (MW).

Officials explained at the ceremony that this phase corresponds to the 35 MW project, which includes seven solar parks of 5 MW each.

Hua Xin, the Chinese Ambassador to Cuba, highlighted the strategic nature of this project, which will provide the population with a stable electricity supply, save foreign currency to boost economic recovery, and reduce carbon emissions.

The diplomat affirmed that cooperation in this sector remains firm and constant, with ongoing projects such as the supply of equipment and spare parts for distributed generators, five thousand photovoltaic systems for isolated homes, 85 MW solar parks, and 200 MW solar parks.

Déborah Rivas, Vice Minister of Foreign Trade and Foreign Investment, conveyed, on behalf of the Cuban Government, Party, and people, their deepest and most sincere gratitude to the People's Republic of China for the arduous efforts made to execute this project in the shortest possible time.

She thanked the Chinese government for its prompt response to the recovery from the damages caused by Hurricane Melissa, with donations of food, galvanized steel coils for roof production, mattresses, and solar lamps, which will benefit those affected.

With the connection of the Artemisa "Mártires de Barbados" solar park to the National Electroenergetic System, seven facilities of this project are now generating power. The project also extends through the provinces of Las Tunas, Holguín, Granma, Matanzas, and Pinar del Río.

A second installation phase of 85 MW is currently underway. This phase will comprise 13 parks of five MW and two of 10 MW, with energy storage systems equivalent to 20 percent of each park's capacity.