Havana has hosted a closing meeting of the evaluation of the project funded by the European Union for the promotion of renewable energy sources and energy efficiency that FIAP has led since its inception in December 2018, working closely with the Ministry of Energy and Mines of Cuba (MINEM). This initiative, framed within the European Union’s Support Programme for Cuba’s Energy Policy, has promoted the diversification of the country’s energy matrix, as well as the promotion of the efficient and renewable use of energy in order to address the effects of climate change.

Renewables and energy efficiency in the face of climate change

During this meeting, the findings, conclusions and recommendations of the final evaluation of the project were discussed. Some of the most important achievements of the project were the following:

1. 1. Development of a regulatory framework aligned with the energy transition objectives: the project has supported the development of the National Strategy for Energy Transition in Cuba, which sets the goal of reaching 100% of energy generation from renewable sources by 2050. In this sense, the collaboration promoted by the project between universities and institutions has been key to inform and guide the process of defining the strategy. This collaborative approach has encouraged innovation and scientific evidence to become fundamental tools for designing and implementing public policies in the energy sector.

1. 2. Technical capacity building and integrated approaches: thanks to various training courses, workshops and exchanges, the capacities of many institutions and universities have been strengthened in innovative technologies such as biogas, thermal districts and agro-power systems, thus enabling the development of demonstration projects and progress in applied research in the field of renewable energy sources.

1. 3.  Promoting analysis and development of financial mechanisms: technical cooperation and trainings have contributed to building capacity and supporting studies and analyses that have addressed financial mechanisms to facilitate energy transition, including strategies for attracting foreign investment and accessing sources of finance.

Thanks to the exchange of experiences and knowledge between specialists in the field from the European Union and Cuba, the country continues to move towards a more sustainable energy matrix in the face of global challenges related to energy and climate change. The progress achieved in the formulation of public policies, the strengthening of technical capacities and the promotion of financial instruments underline the role of international cooperation in the search for global solutions to climate change and the energy challenges of the 21st century.