UNDP, EU and MINEM Assess Renewable Energy Projects

Cuba’s Ministry of Energy and Mines (MINEM), the United Nations Industrial Development Agency, the United Nations Development Program (UNDP) and the European Union (EU) meet in Havana today to assess joint projects in the field of renewable energy. Representatives of the Higher Education Ministry will also be in attendance.

The joint projects will identify the use of renewable energy sources in relation to energy efficiency and conservation. The second joint project will focus on the use of renewable energy sources in the support of local development.

During the meeting, Cuba will present its policy document for the Development of Renewable Energy Sources and Energy Efficiency Perspectives, a plan approved in 2014 with the goal of increasing the use of green energy significantly by the year 2030.

Cuba’s green energy policy plans to generate 24 percent of its electricity via the use of green energy renewable sources such as sugarcane biomass, solar power, wind farms and small hydroelectric plants throughout the land. Many of these projects are currently in use or under construction. The policy has also successfully encouraged Cuban homes and businesses to make the switch to LED lighting and replace coil-based electric cookers with induction cookers.