Helsinki, February 4th.- At the headquarters of the Cuban State mission in Finland, a meeting took place between professors from the Universities of Turku, Tampere and Helsinki and the interim head of mission of Cuba, who debated for just over an hour about Cuba's energy future.
Professor Jyrki Luukkanen, leader of the group of researchers, who has been traveling to Cuba since 2010, intends to resume the initiatives sponsored by Erasmus+, an EU project for developing countries, to promote Cuba's electricity generation sector, expanding more and more the use of renewable energy sources. The main objective is to achieve a change in the country's energy matrix and in consumption habits. It is a sustainable solution over time and beneficial to the environment.
Mika Korkeakoski agreed with his colleagues and other experts that Cuba has the potential to produce 100% of its energy consumption from renewable sources. The largest of the Antilles is located in a privileged area of the Caribbean with abundant sun all year round, water and wind resources capable of generating enough energy to feed the state and residential sectors. The challenge would be to achieve a successful connection between these new technologies and the national electricity system, generating as few potholes and outages as possible, in addition to the essential financing for such investments.
The Chargé d'Affaires a.i of Cuba in Finland, Víctor Manuel Rodríguez Etcheverry updated his interlocutors about the importance for Cuba, in the Economic and Social Development Plan until 2030, of increasing electricity generation from renewable resources. The replacement of hydrocarbons is an imperative need for the country, based on the reality of Cuba, which is not self-sufficient in energy production. Energy sovereignty, as well as food sovereignty, are fundamental pillars of Cuba's development towards a more sustainable and prosperous model. While the United States maintains a tight Economic, Commercial and Financial Blockade for 60 years, intensified during the Trump administration with more than 240 measures and that the current president has maintained, which prevents access to international financing sources, bank transactions, among others issues, restricting access to high-tech markets, Cuba continues to pursue its development objectives hand in hand with willing partners who are aware that, despite any differences, it is always preferable to build bridges rather than build walls.