China Delivers New Batch of Solar Aid to Cuba

China has delivered the first batch of materials for a new household solar equipment aid project to Cuba, marking the latest step in deepening energy cooperation between the two countries. The delivery ceremony was held on August 7 in Havana, attended by Cuban Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Trade and Foreign Investment Perez-Oliva, Deputy Minister Rivas, and Chinese Ambassador to Cuba Hua Xin, according to Xinhua News.

Context: Cuba’s Deepening Energy Crisis

Cuba’s national power system has been under severe strain due to the decades-long US economic embargo, which has caused cumulative losses exceeding $164.1 billion. The situation worsened in January 2026 when the US imposed an oil blockade on Cuba, severely restricting fuel imports. By February and March 2026, Cuba faced its worst energy crisis in decades, with power outages of up to 20 hours daily and generation deficits exceeding 2,000 MW.

The new batch of 5,000 household solar units features improved single-unit capacity and battery storage compared to the previous delivery, and has been optimized for Cuba’s grid conditions and tropical climate. The equipment will be distributed to remote households, childcare centers, banks, nursing homes, and other institutions affected by the energy crisis.

Expanding China-Cuba Energy Cooperation

This delivery follows a previous batch of 5,000 sets of 2kW photovoltaic equipment delivered to Cuba in November 2025. According to Granma, Cuba’s official newspaper, the installation program for those systems began in March 2026, with 2,671 units allocated to vital centers in all municipalities and 2,329 designated for isolated homes, including those that have never had access to electricity.

China’s solar support extends well beyond household systems. In November 2025, a 35MW solar photovoltaic power station project fully connected to the grid, with seven solar plants across six provinces expected to save Cuba 18,000 tons of imported fuel annually, as reported by Tencent News. The broader cooperation includes plans to help Cuba build over 92 solar parks by 2028, with a total capacity of 2,000 MW—equivalent to Cuba’s entire current fossil fuel generation. Between 2025 and early 2026, approximately 75 parks have already been installed, according to Om Radio.

Official Statements

Perez-Oliva emphasized the significance of the donation, stating that Cuba’s national power system faces severe challenges and that the people suffer daily from the impact of the unjust, illegal, and unilateral US blockade. She noted that China plays an important role in promoting Cuba’s energy transition and continues to provide sustained support.

Ambassador Hua Xin described the aid as “a gift from the Chinese people to the Cuban people fighting in difficulty” and a practical result of China-Cuba energy and livelihood cooperation under the Belt and Road Initiative framework. He expressed China’s commitment to helping Cuba steadily advance on the path of energy independence.

A Rapid Solar Revolution

The scale of China’s involvement in Cuba’s energy sector has been transformative. Chinese solar equipment exports to Cuba grew from about $5 million in 2023 to $117 million in 2025—a more than 20-fold increase, according to CNN. Cuba’s solar share of total generation went from nearly zero to about 10 percent in just one year, making it one of the fastest solar expansions in the world.

However, the aid has not been without controversy. Some Cuban citizens and diaspora media have criticized the allocation of some donated solar systems to state enterprises like ETECSA rather than directly to affected households. CiberCuba reported in April that 18 of the donated systems were being diverted to telecommunications infrastructure in Matanzas instead of civilian use.

What to Watch

The new batch of improved household solar systems will provide enhanced support to remote communities and vital institutions. China’s planned 92 solar parks by 2028 would be transformative for Cuba’s energy security, and the 85MW project is expected to be completed within the year. Cuba aims for renewables to reach 24 percent of its energy matrix by 2030—an ambitious target that is being accelerated by the crisis and Chinese support.

As Cuba continues to navigate its most severe energy crisis in decades, the deepening China-Cuba partnership under the Belt and Road framework represents a significant strategic shift in the Caribbean nation’s energy landscape, with implications that extend far beyond the delivery of solar panels.