[News] China Donates 70 Tons of Equipment to Cuba To Restore Its Electric System

Sun Jan 5 20:56:44 EST 2025

orinocotribune.com 
<https://orinocotribune.com/china-donates-70-tons-of-equipment-to-cuba-to-restore-its-electric-system/> 

  China Donates 70 Tons of Equipment to Cuba To Restore Its Electric System

January 4, 2025
------------------------------------------------------------------------

Representatives of the Cuban government alongside the Chinese ambassador 
to Cuba; all comrades in the struggle for humanity. Photo: Embaixada da 
China em Cuba.

The People’s Republic of China has donated almost 70 tons of power 
generator parts and accessories to Cuba 
<https://www.brasildefato.com.br/2024/12/22/nao-somos-terroristas-marcha-do-povo-combatente-volta-as-ruas-de-cuba-contra-bloqueio-dos-eua-e-por-retirada-de-lista-de-terrorismo>, 
aiming to contribute to the recovery of the Caribbean island’s 
electricity system.

The materials arrived in the country on Sunday (29) and were received by 
China’s ambassador to Cuba, Hua Xin, and Cuba’s deputy ministers of 
Foreign Trade and Investment, Déborah Rivas, and Energy and Mining, 
Tatiana Amarán.

According to Ambassador Xin, the shipment is part of China’s second 
assistance package in 2024 to help restore Cuba’s electricity generation 
capacity to around 400 megawatts (MW). As part of an “emergency project 
list,” the donations were included to provide Cuba with effective and 
rapid aid 
<https://www.brasildefato.com.br/2024/12/18/cuba-discute-planejamento-economico-para-2025-apos-um-ano-muito-dificil> 
according to what the Chinese government calls “convenience for the most 
urgent.”

“The next batches are expected to arrive soon by freight, commercial 
flights or container transportation,” he said.

During the brief ceremony to receive the donations, Deputy Minister 
Déborah Rivas said that it “reflects the high sensitivity of the Chinese 
government authorities [to Cuban’s needs] and their firm support for 
Cuba under all circumstances, joining, in a true expression of 
fraternity, the Cuban government’s efforts to achieve energy 
sustainability.”

The deputy minister also stated that the island government estimates 
that this donation will benefit about 53,200 homes in the country.

The donations come as the Caribbean country is facing a serious energy 
crisis 
<https://www.brasildefato.com.br/2024/12/30/cuba-termina-um-novo-ano-sem-conseguir-sair-de-sua-longa-crise> 
that has worsened in recent months. This year, Cuba has suffered three 
total blackouts in the national electricity system, leaving the country 
completely in the dark. Currently, power cuts are becoming more and more 
constant, affecting over 40% of the population daily. The situation has 
seriously damaged economic activity and the population’s quality of life.

*Bloc and energy
*The donations are part of agreements signed between Cuban President 
Miguel Díaz-Canel 
<https://www.brasildefato.com.br/2024/12/02/imperialismo-esta-novamente-adquirindo-toda-a-sua-crueza-diz-historiador-cubano-sobre-retorno-de-trump> 
and his Chinese counterpart, Xi Jinping, seeking to expand cooperation 
in strategic initiatives such as energy, transportation, food security 
and trade.

Cuba’s electricity generation comes from old thermoelectric plants – 
most of which are more than 30 years old – which require constant 
maintenance to operate. However, due to the US blockade on the country – 
considered illegal by most UN countries – Cuba has for decades faced 
serious financial difficulties 
<https://www.brasildefato.com.br/2024/12/30/cuba-termina-um-novo-ano-sem-conseguir-sair-de-sua-longa-crise> 
in making the necessary investments and maintenance to keep its 
electricity system running.

The import of fuel, like any other good, is hampered by the sanctions 
that Washington unilaterally imposes on countries that trade with Cuba 
because any ship that arrives at a Cuban port is sanctioned, which 
generates staggering prices the island has to pay to import the products 
it needs.

In recent months, the Chinese government has donated various components 
for the installation of photovoltaic parks (renewable energies based on 
sunlight) on the Caribbean island. The region’s climatic conditions make 
sunlight the most favorable source of renewable energy for the country.

Currently, more than 95% of the country’s power generation comes from 
fossil fuels, while only 5% comes from renewable sources. Cuba aims to 
generate up to 25% of its electric energy from renewable sources over 
the next five years. By 2050, the aim is to cover the entire energy 
matrix with electricity generation based on renewable energy sources.

In mid-December, the Chinese government and Cuba officially announced 
the construction of several photovoltaic parks on the Caribbean island, 
with funds donated by the Asian country. It is estimated that these 
photovoltaic parks could save up to seven million US dollars.

Edited by: Dayze Rocha

(Brasil de Faso 
<https://www.brasildefato.com.br/2024/12/31/china-donates-70-tons-of-equipment-to-cuba-to-restore-its-electric-system>)

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