Cuba expanded incentives for importing renewable energy equipment, as China delivered another 5,000 photovoltaic systems to the island.
Aug. 10 (UPI) -- Cuba expanded incentives for importing renewable energy equipment, as China delivered another 5,000 photovoltaic systems to the island -- part of the country's efforts to increase solar power generation amid a prolonged electricity crisis.
A Ministry of Finance and Prices resolution signed Wednesday replaces regulations approved in February and consolidates into a single document tax benefits for individuals and companies that adopt renewable energy technologies.
The resolution eliminates tariffs on imports of photovoltaic solar systems and their main components. The benefit also covers solar water heaters, photovoltaic pumps, small wind turbines, biodigesters, solar lighting and air conditioning systems powered by renewable energy sources.
The measure seeks to make these technologies more accessible to the state sector, private companies and individuals as Cuba tries to increase renewable power generation and ease pressure on its deteriorating electrical system.
The electricity crisis continues to affect much of the island. The Electric Union said Monday that blackouts persisted throughout Sunday and into early Monday.
For Monday's peak demand period, the company projected that only 1,100 megawatts would be available against demand of 3,300 megawatts, enough to cover approximately one-third of the country's needs.
The blackouts are also affecting other basic services. The state-run Aqueduct and Sewerage Co. said in July that about 225,000 people were having difficulty receiving water, largely because power outages prevented pumping systems from operating.
The Chinese government delivered a second donation of 5,000 photovoltaic systems Friday for rural areas and essential services in the country's 169 municipalities, Granma reported.
President Miguel Díaz-Canel thanked China for the assistance Sunday and said it adds to Cuba's efforts to "change its energy mix."
"We deeply appreciate this gesture by the Chinese people and government, which adds to the efforts Cuba is making to change its energy mix, amid the genocidal blockade," Díaz-Canel wrote on X. "We continue alongside our brothers in building the Community with a Shared Future."
"Agradecemos profundamente este gesto del pueblo y Gobierno chino, que se suma a los esfuerzos que está haciendo #Cuba para cambiar su matriz energética, en medio del #BloqueoGenocida.
Seguimos junto a nuestros hermanos en la construcción de la Comunidad de Futuro Compartido. https://t.co/EzH7u0EZwe— Miguel Díaz-Canel Bermúdez (@DiazCanelB) August 9, 2026"
Foreign Trade and Foreign Investment Minister Oscar Pérez-Oliva said the equipment will benefit rural areas, healthcare centers, day care centers and bank branches, El Economista reported.
China had already donated another 5,000 photovoltaic systems whose installation began before the latest delivery. The Electric Union said in March that 2,671 of those systems were intended for essential services and another 2,329 for isolated homes.
The expansion of solar energy goes beyond those donations. At least 41 medium-sized solar parks and 18 smaller ones were built over the past two years, according to RenewAtlas data cited by La Tercera.
The government also announced plans to build 92 medium-sized solar parks by 2028.
The new projects could provide about 1,000 megawatts when operating at full capacity, compared with typical peak demand of about 3,200 megawatts. The Cuban government says solar power currently covers about 10% of the country's electricity needs, up from 3% at the beginning of 2025.
China has become the main supplier of equipment for that expansion. It shipped $117 million worth of solar equipment to Cuba in 2025, up from $3 million in 2023, according to customs data compiled by Ember and cited by El Periódico de la Energía.
However, the solar expansion has yet to resolve the electricity crisis. Cuba relies on aging thermoelectric power plants that suffer frequent breakdowns and faces fuel shortages, while insufficient storage capacity limits the use of electricity generated by solar parks after sunlight is no longer available.
August 4, 2026 - The Football Association of Ireland (FAI) has revealed Irish fans won’t be permitted to attend the Republic of Ireland’s Nations League games against Israel in September and October.
The Israeli FA has said “a small allocation” of Israeli supporters will be accommodated at their ‘home’ leg game in Debrecen, Hungary on Sunday, September 27th.
A statement from the FAI on Tuesday read: “The Football Association of Ireland confirms that it will not facilitate in-stadium access to Ireland supporters for either of its Uefa Nations League fixtures with Israel."
Ireland’s ‘home’ tie will be played behind closed doors in Bačka Topola, Serbia on Sunday, October 4th, with security concerns cited as the reason for moving the game outside of Ireland. Uefa has yet to confirm whether Irish media will be allowed to cover the fixture in the stadium.
The "Stop The Game" Palestine solidarity group has called for the FAI to boycott the games against Israel. Last month, the FAI said forfeiting the matches against Israel would cost the association around €5.5 million. [article]
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