From solar to charcoal, Cubans look for alternatives amid outages and fuel shortages
Cuba is facing a significant energy crisis, leading many residents to seek alternative energy sources. While some can afford solar panels, most rely on charcoal for cooking, despite health risks and high costs. The government has announced plans to transition to renewable energy by 2050, but the feasibility of this goal remains uncertain.
- ▪Cuban residents are increasingly turning to solar panels and charcoal due to ongoing energy shortages.
- ▪Solar panels are a costly solution, accessible mainly to business owners or those with family support abroad.
- ▪Charcoal cooking poses health risks and is expensive, with a small bag costing about $1 against an average monthly salary of $13.
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CubaFrom solar to charcoal, Cubans look for alternatives amid outages and fuel shortagesSome Cubans who’ve been able to buy solar panels say it’s a game changer, but most rely on other alternatives including charcoal, despite health concerns and the steep cost.Listen to this article with a free account00:0000:00Solar panel specialists lift a panel onto the rooftop of a multi-family building in Matanzas, Cuba, on April 13.AFP via Getty ImagesShareAdd NBC News to GoogleMay 23, 2026, 12:00 PM EDTBy Orlando Matos and Carmen SesinHAVANA — Cuba’s energy crisis was taking a toll on Guillermo Sánchez’s business.
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