Cuba Achieves Energy Independence Through Nationwide "Green Grid"
Havana, Cuba | April 2028
The island nation of Cuba this month completed its rollout of a nationwide fully renewable energy grid. “La Red Verde” as it’s known locally, has been in development for over five years, now insulating Cuba’s economy from decades-long trade embargoes, most notable from the United States. Now completely independent from fossil fuel price fluctuations and instability in supply, officials report that 100% of the local electricity demand is met with a combination of solar, wind and geothermal energy. Geothermal is currently the smallest proportion of the energy supply, with development planned to maximize it's potential.
Small scale community grids are peppered throughout the countryside, stabilizing the rural electricity supply.
Preliminary projections released by the Ministry of Energy suggest that the drop in energy-related greenhouse gas emissions will lead to an overall emissions drop by 65% over the next five years, a figure unprecedented for the Caribbean region. Analysts around the world are watching closely to see if and how this model can be replicated in other small states vulnerable to geopolitical instability.
In the meantime, the Cuban government has announced plans to develop the infrastructure for high-voltage underwater cables to facilitate the export of their growing surplus to neighbouring islands.
From the Minister:
“We have proven that we can service the needs of the Cuban people, but we project a major surplus as our green grid continues to develop. This surplus will be instrumental in maintaining our independence and resilience in the face of volatility, and enabling us to support our neighbours and allies in their shift away from the old fuels, to the power of the future.”
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