Current energy situation

The current energy situation in Cuba is that of a SIDS in the midst of a recovery from the dissolution of favourable trade agreements with the former Soviet Union for the import of crude oil and petroleum products. As with other SIDS, Cuba lacks sufficient proven indigenous fossil energy resources to support sustainable long term economic and social development. This situation, however, might change as a result of ongoing programmes in oil exploration in the Gulf of Mexico. In addition, the accelerated development of renewable sources is expected to make domestic energy supplies more accessible. Currently, the Cuban energy situation is characterized by a deficit in access to affordable energy services (especially in rural areas), the lack of finance for energy imports and energy infrastructure improvements and expansion as well as suboptimal institutional coordination. This section reviews the status of Cuba's energy system and how it developed. It is divided into four major sections: Section 2.1 outlines the organizational structure of the energy system; Section 2.2 presents the national energy balance; Section 2.3 assesses the country's energy status according to the economic, social, environmental and institutional dimensions of sustainable development; and Section 2.4 summarizes the major issues facing that system