From our Bureau of Logical Solutions to Colossal Problems with some assistance from our Bureau of Great Moments in the History of Latrine American Military Juntas
How do you fix a national electrical system that is beyond repair? Well, of course, the first step is to place a 92-year-old oligarch in charge of the project. The second step is to insist that the project be under complete control of the military junta. The third step is to insist that the only solution available is to shift to a 100% photovoltaic system.
Yes, the entire island will be covered with solar energy parks. And the final step is to proclaim that this solution will definitely work. Yes, you can bet your life on it. Never mind Castro, Inc.’s record of success in all projects.
From CiberCuba
The Cuban regime has announced the appointment of Ramiro Valdés Menéndez, a historical figure of the Revolution, as the leader of a government program aimed at stabilizing and recovering the national electrical system.
The decision, announced by Prime Minister Manuel Marrero Cruz during the Fourth Regular Session of the National Assembly of People’s Power in its Tenth Legislature, comes amid a deep energy crisis that has been impacting the island for months, resulting in frequent blackouts that have caused unrest among the population and key sectors of the economy.
Marrero explained that the government program led by Valdés consists of various working groups aimed at reversing the critical energy situation, gradually meeting the demands of the population and the economy, and moving towards energy sovereignty and transition.
Among the key points, the Prime Minister emphasized that Cuba will not privatize energy generation, reaffirming the need to maintain state control over the sector, despite the lack of favorable results in its management. Additionally, there is a focus on more efficient and rational use of energy resources, as well as the implementation of measures to attract foreign currency through payments with domestically produced oil and nickel.
A key point in this program is the expansion of electricity generation capacity through photovoltaic parks. Marrero reported that by the end of the first half of 2025, over 500 MW of energy generated by solar panels will be added, with a projection of 1,800 MW by the end of next year.
In the previous session, the Minister of Energy and Mines, Vicente de la O Levy, highlighted that one of the goals of his “miraculous” plan is to recover 850 MW of capacity in distributed generation, complemented by generation from thermal power plants using domestic fuel, in order to achieve an average availability of 1,400 MW.
In addition, the installation of an additional 120 MW in photovoltaic solar parks is expected, thanks to a donation from China, with the first 35 MW set to arrive in early 2025.
It was also announced that there will be a salary increase for workers in the electrical sector, effective January 1, 2025.
The energy crisis in Cuba has deepened in recent years due to a lack of investment, fuel shortages, and the outdated infrastructure of the energy system. Power outages, which in some cases last up to 12 hours a day, have caused social unrest and difficulties in key sectors such as the economy and health.
Well, they did put “Che” in charge of Cuba’s economy and made him head of Cuba’s national bank, though he didn’t know jack shit about economics or banking and predictably did nothing but harm. Still, he wasn’t some ancient geezer with at least one foot in the grave. Anyway, this is what these people do.
Yes, Ramiro has a lot of experience in that realm. He can go back to scheduling time electrocuting Cubans.