Cuba's efforts to increase renewable power production and mitigate the impact of tightened US sanctions on its weakened electricity system are being undermined by Washington's threats against shipping companies supplying the equipment, foreign minister Bruno Rodriguez said on Monday.
Cuba has been rapidly developing solar power capacity, but further progress is being curbed as "shipping companies that should bring solar panels or batteries for the new photovoltaic parks are being intimidated, threatened and harassed" by Washington, Rodriguez said.
Solar parks developed mainly with Chinese equipment deliver about 10pc of Cuba's power, according to the government that has set a target of 24pc by 2030.
Cuba lost access to crude imported mainly from Venezuela following the US' 3 January overthrow of Venezuelan president Nicolas Maduro.
The US blockade to force political and economic change in Cuba deprived the island of about 100,000 b/d of imports, causing extensive fuel shortages and frequent and long power blackouts as it depends on domestic production of 40,000 b/d.
Cuba's power plants delivered 1.16GW on Monday to meet demand of 2.79GW, according to state power utility UNE.
"The US threatens shipping companies and prohibits them from transporting even parts and pieces for thermoelectric plants or photovoltaic systems, even those that have been already paid for," Rodriguez said.
The US earlier imposed charges against Cuba's state oil company Cupet and its subsidiaries and on the island's oil industry equipment importers.
"These designations reflect [US president Donald] Trump's unwavering vision for a free Cuba," US state secretary Marco Rubio said last week in announcing new sanctions. "Cuba's communist regime elites preside over a failed state where ordinary Cubans go hungry."
Havana and Washington "have been holding talks and we continue communicating with the US, but there has been no progress in the negotiations due to the lack of political will on the part of the US", Rodriguez said.
Cuba received 730,000 bl of crude from Russia in April — the first imports since January — that was processed and exhausted in May, according to state media.
"A diagnosis of the Cuban electro-energy system at the end of May reflects that there are around 1.4GW of capacity that does not generate electricity due to a lack of fuel," Rodriguez said.
