Cuba has received a significant donation from the People’s Republic of China, consisting of 69 tons of parts and accessories for power generators. This donation is aimed at benefiting the island’s national power grid.
The donation is part of a larger initiative known as the Project of Equipment and Spare Parts for Power Generators in Cuba, which stems from agreements made between Cuban President Miguel Díaz-Canel and Chinese President Xi Jinping. These agreements reflect the strong bilateral ties between the two nations.
Donation Details
The donation includes radiators, engines, and other essential components for repairing and maintaining power generators. The supplies will help restore about 400 MW of electricity across more than 70 diesel and fuel oil power plants throughout Cuba.
Hua Xin, China’s ambassador to Cuba, highlighted that this donation is part of the second package of assistance China has provided to Cuba in 2024. This support is being delivered under the principle of “agility for the most urgent needs,” which aims to expedite the restoration of Cuba’s power generation capacity.
Impact of the Donation
Speaking at the donation ceremony, Déborah Rivas Saavedra, Deputy Minister of Foreign Trade for Cuba, expressed gratitude to China on behalf of the Cuban government and people. She emphasized that the parts will facilitate repairs to 38 diesel generators and maintenance of 50 fuel oil generators, which will directly benefit 53,200 homes across the island.
Saavedra also noted the importance of this assistance for Cuba’s long-term energy sustainability and improvement of public welfare. She acknowledged the dedication of Cuba’s electricity workers, who face significant daily challenges due to the limitations imposed by the ongoing U.S. embargo.
Bilateral Cooperation and Future Prospects
Ambassador Hua Xin praised the strong friendship and cooperation between Cuba and China, underscoring the results of their collaboration in various fields. He also reaffirmed China’s commitment to supporting Cuba in its efforts to restore and enhance its energy infrastructure, contributing to both economic development and sustainability.
This donation marks a continued effort to strengthen ties between the two countries and addresses Cuba’s pressing energy needs.
