[NYTr] RHC Analysis: 2007 - The Cuban Energy Revolution

[All the News That Doesn't Fit]

Radio Havana Cuba
http://www.radiohc.cu/ingles/portada.htm

RHC Analysis: 2997

The Cuban Energy Revolution: An example for the world

by Lorenzo Oquendo

Due the ever increasing rise in the world price of petrol and the
instructions of President Fidel Castro to save fuel and electricity,
Cuba started to apply a comprehensive program of alternatives and ideas
in 2005, which brought the country to the fore in the Energy Revolution.

This program was continued throughout 2007 by substituting millions of
high consumption domestic electrical goods with more efficient models.
Thousands of diesel and oil engines were installed to supply
electricity which made it possible to gradually eliminate the
black-outs caused by insufficient power generation. At the same time an
increase in the production of petroleum and gas was recorded.

During the last 12 months the use of renewable energy sources like wind
has been increased by the construction of windmill parks in the zones
where the wind is strongest. Solar energy and micro hydraulics are
being developed in mountainous zones to benefit communities in areas
difficult to access by other methods.

In the residential zones where this work has already finished,
defective service decreased by 80% with the elimination of the damaging
effects of low voltage. This renovation work was continued throughout
the year and must conclude by 2009 to ensure the functioning of the
electrical system bringing losses in inferior transmission down to 10%,
the internationally acceptable index.

This work also signifies more stability and quality of electricity in
Cuba and important reductions in financial costs at a time when the
price of hydro carbons continues to climb.

Last year also closed with the construction of 15 thousand electrical
transformers; special units for use in the energy distribution networks
as well as additional materials and support structures renovated in
different parts of the country. The results of the Energy Revolution in
Cuba are not only gains for Cuba, but also an example for the peoples
of many developing countries. More than three thousand young Cubans
participated in this work this year in 13 Latin American and Caribbean
countries by substituting incandescent bulbs for energy saving ones.

At a recent press conference, José Antonio Díaz Duque, Cuban Vice
Minister for Science, Technology and the Environment had this to say
about the Energy Revolution in 2007:

"The Energy revolution is a model that is admired by all to whom we
explain it, because it is deep-rooted in the country, not only
economically and socially but also because of the solidarity, the
sustainability and the protection against the impact of climate change,
even though our global contribution to harmful gas emission is small.

"Even though our country is comparatively tiny, our influence is
important because of the support we are giving other countries like
Venezuela and other Caribbean countries by changing the bulbs, by
changing heavy duty domestic goods for more efficient models, the
method of energy generation and distribution, etc. These are big
gestures in the order of sustainability and many countries look to Cuba
as a concrete example of what they can do for everybody in this common
house that is the planet".

In one of his reflections during the year on the theme, President Fidel
Castro urged the highly industrialized countries to take on a
commitment to the Energy Revolution similar to Cuba and to confront the
grave problems that threaten humanity as a consequence of the
irrational use of consumption by the most developed economies.