International Solar Alliance Cuba supports Cuba’s vital energy transition with prioritized projects, capacity building, and regional collaboration.

^{Related: Elpidio Valdes: Cuba’s Fight For Independence as a Cartoon}

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International Solar Alliance Cuba Drives the Critical Energy Transition Forward

The International Solar Alliance Cuba has taken a significant step to bolster Cuba’s energy transition by signing a comprehensive Framework Agreement focused on seven fundamental projects. This pact, confirmed between the International Solar Alliance (ISA) and Cuba’s Ministry of Energy and Mines (Minem), marks a pivotal advancement in cooperation aimed at enhancing sustainable development across critical economic sectors.

International Solar Alliance Cuba: Strengthening Cooperation and Capacity Building

During the closing session of a workshop involving government agencies and business leaders, Rosell Guerra, Director of Renewable Energies at Minem, detailed that the Framework Agreement will serve as the foundation for expanding and deepening collaboration between the ISA and Cuba. This strategic cooperation will also review the participation of various economic sectors to ensure holistic support for Cuba’s energy goals.

Key highlights underline the agreement’s focus on prioritized projects that guarantee the production of food, pharmaceuticals, and clean energy supply in rural areas — essential to improving the country’s economic resilience and social welfare.

Mr. Guerra expressed gratitude towards the ISA, recognizing its tangible commitment via important donations and technical training initiatives, which have upgraded the expertise of dozens of Cuban specialists across diverse industries.

One critical milestone in this framework is the designation of the Photovoltaic Laboratory at the University of Havana as the Solar Technology Application Resource Center (STAR Center)—the first of its kind in Latin America. This center has already conducted four training courses for Cuban specialists and a notable training session for officials from 14 Latin American and Caribbean countries, supported by the Latin American Energy Organization (OLADE).

External links for further reading:

• International Solar Alliance official site for partnership frameworks
• Latin American Energy Organization (OLADE) on regional energy cooperation

International Solar Alliance Cuba: High-Level Commitment and Strategic Implementation

The ISA’s strong endorsement of Cuba’s energy transition was reinforced by a visit from ISA’s Director-General Ashish Khanna and his accompanying high-level delegation. Hugo Morales, ISA’s Regional Chief for Latin America and the Caribbean, emphasized the Alliance’s commitment to supporting Cuba through practical and sustained involvement.

Morales highlighted the ongoing technical efforts to identify suitable pathways for the execution of prioritized projects. Following consultation with Cuban institutions engaged in project development during the workshop, the ISA delegation has planned an extended stay on the island to finalize implementation modalities.

“We now have a clearer vision of how these projects might be realized,” Morales stated.

At the workshop’s conclusion, Ashish Khanna unveiled ISA’s new efficient strategy titled “From Ambition to Action”, underscoring the importance of crafting a detailed action plan outlining which projects to implement and their timelines. Khanna pointed to Cuba’s strong technical capacity but stressed the need for sharing international experiences and management models to optimize outcomes.

• United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) on technology transfer and capacity building

Geopolitical Context and Regional Implications

The International Solar Alliance Cuba initiative reflects a broader geopolitical shift as Latin American and Caribbean nations intensify efforts toward energy sovereignty and sustainability. Cuba’s transition to renewable energy aligns with regional priorities to reduce dependency on fossil fuels, improve rural electrification, and foster economic resilience amid global energy challenges.

This collaboration furthers regional integration by linking Cuba with Latin American and Caribbean countries through capacity-building programs and knowledge exchange. The ISA’s role as a multilateral platform advances cooperation against the backdrop of global climate change imperatives and the drive toward a multipolar energy architecture independent of traditional energy hegemonies.

The partnership also signals growing South-South cooperation, underlining the strategic importance of renewable energy as a catalyst for sustainable development, economic diversification, and social progress across the region.

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