[DEBATE] : (Fwd) Cuba solves energy crisis the old-fashioned way

[David McDonald]

Unfortunately, this article fails to mention that the Canadian multinational
Sherritt is involved in energy and electricity production in a big way in
Cuba now (the company is the largest single investor in Cuba) and there are
growing concerns around the commodification of electricity in the country.

David 




-----Original Message-----
From: debate-bounces at debate.kabissa.org
[mailto:debate-bounces at debate.kabissa.org] On Behalf Of Patrick Bond
Sent: January 22, 2008 4:33 AM
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Subject: [DEBATE] : (Fwd) Cuba solves energy crisis the old-fashioned way

Review of Cuba’s Energy Revolution
BY MARÍA JULIA MAYORAL

Cuba’s successful energy revolution will continue and expand in 2008 
with an additional US $2 billion in investments planned, said Basic 
Industry Minister Yadira Garcia and other specialists on the televised 
Round Table program on Wednesday.

RENOVATION OF DISTRIBUTION LINES WILL IMPROVE THE QUALITY OF SERVICE.

When Cuba’s energy revolution began in 2005 under the leadership and 
guidance of Fidel Castro, a barrel of oil was priced at US $46 on the 
world market; today, that same barrel is nearing $100. The price of oil 
alone validates the importance of the program, Garcia told a nationwide 
audience.

Besides improving living standards, the energy revolution is aimed at 
decreasing pollution, a modest contribution by Cuba towards the serious 
problem of climate change. The effort includes a radical change in the 
concepts of energy generation and consumption with an emphasis on 
awareness, said Garcia in an exchange with Council of Ministers 
Executive Committee Secretary Carlos Lage, who was also present at the 
Round Table program.

Garcia noted that among the main results to date of the energy 
revolution are the elimination of blackouts caused by a supply deficit 
and the delivery of millions of efficient home appliances to families 
throughout the island. She said particular benefit was felt by the 75 
percent of Cuban families who had previously cooked using kerosene, a 
fuel that besides being a high pollutant is energy inefficient.

The official pointed to the need to guarantee spare parts for the new 
electricity generator sets as well as for the home appliances that will 
be repaired at workshops belonging to the Ministry of Commerce.

Garcia also acknowledged some deficiencies, "There have been some tasks 
that we haven’t handled correctly and even some problems that took us by 
surprise." For example, the minister said that the service at the 
workshops has been insufficient and pointed to bureaucracy in paperwork, 
delays in granting credit to pay for the new appliances and other 
concerns expressed by the population. "These are things that concern us 
and that we are trying to resolve."

Garcia praised the participation of numerous institutions and 
organizations in the implementation of the energy revolution and the 
decisive contribution of the population.

AN EFFICIENT SYSTEM

In just three years since the 2004 energy crisis, Cuba has increased its 
electricity generating capacity to a 4,700 megawatts capacity, 60 
percent of which is produced under efficient conditions, said Vicente de 
la O, general director of the Union Electrica state power company.

De la O recalled that the first task put in practice was to install 
emergency electricity generators to provide power at all key services 
and facilities, such as refrigeration for food products, bakeries, 
hospitals, and food processing plants.

There are currently 6,841 such generators installed at 4,778 workplaces 
around the country. These generators guarantee production and services 
in extreme situations such as those provoked by hurricanes and other 
phenomena. Besides, their occasional use during peak hours lowers the 
demand on the national electric grid and helps avoid blackouts, said the 
electric company executive.

A key factor in overcoming a production deficit is the generator sets 
using diesel and fuel oil distributed throughout the country. The diesel 
generators can now produce 1,320 megawatts of which 1,200 goes into the 
national grid and the rest serves isolated systems that provide services 
in places like the cays, said De la O.

The official said there will soon be a total of 696 fuel-oil generators. 
He said all have been purchased and their assembly is under way. By the 
end of this year their installed capacity will reach 500 megawatts.

De la O said that never before has the country been able to install a 
capability of such magnitude in such a short time and with numerous 
advantages. This was thanks to the fact that the generators are 
relatively easy to install, use less fuel, help reduce losses during 
distribution, operate with an electric input lower than thermoelectric 
plants and have independent start up systems. In case of an emergency, 
they can be transported easily to the place where they are needed.

De la O also gave a run down on the investments to increase the use of 
natural gas derived from the oil extraction process and to make use of 
hydraulic and wind resources to generate electricity. Another effort is 
being made to increase the capacity of fuel storage facilities and 
acquiring the specialized tools and transport vehicles needed for the 
brigades working on the power lines.

He said that since May 2006, blackouts due to a generation deficit were 
eliminated and losses on distribution lines reduced, resulting in a 
savings of nearly US $200 million.

IMROVEMENTS IN THE NETWORKS

Antonio Pias, an electric company representative, gave the TV viewers a 
detailed explanation on the rehabilitation of the distribution networks. 
He said that 2.9 million breakers have been installed in private homes 
and an additional 250,000 are still to be installed, mainly in the city 
of Havana, where distribution networks are more complex.

Pias said that the work to install new electricity poles, transformers 
and lines going to houses and buildings has progressed considerably. He 
noted that both primary and secondary distribution lines are being replaced.

Investments made have made possible an increase in the national 
production of electric cables and transformers, he added.

Pias recognized that losses of electricity in the distribution process 
and accidental interruptions of service continue to be high due to 
deteriorated lines and increased demand, especially from the residential 
sector. Nonetheless, he said a slow but gradual improvement is beginning 
to be seen.

The problem of low voltage areas are continuing to be eliminated said 
Pias. So far, 642,000 homes have seen their voltage situation improve 
with 240,000 still waiting. The official also spoke on advances in the 
electrification of homes and settlements and announced the beginning of 
an effort to rehabilitate street lighting in neighborhoods, beginning in 
the first quarter of 2008.

MILLIONS OF HOME APPLIANCES DELVIERED

A total of 22.5 million home appliances are now in the hands of the 
population, said Enrique Gomez, a member of the directorate of the Youth 
Communist League, and the head of the country’s social worker program. 
Gomez spoke on the effort of the young social workers in the different 
tasks of the energy revolution.

Vice Minister of Interior Commerce Maria del Carmen Martinez, reported 
that there are now 600 workshops around the country to repair the new 
electrical appliances. She said that every one of Cuba’s 169 
municipalities has at least one repair workshop. The government has 
invested US $4.9 million to fix up installations being used for the 
workshops and to buy specialized tools and spare parts.

To date, 4.5 million pieces of equipment have been repaired, some of 
which required adjustments in their operating mechanisms, which 
highlights the importance of providing the population with information 
on their use, said Martinez.

STATE SECTOR STILL LAGS BEHIND

Electric company official Ricardo Gonzalez notes that the area with the 
greatest potential for further savings is currently in the state sector, 
which he said is lagging behind others.