EU supports Cuba's renewable energy sector with EUR 18 million cooperation programme

The Cuba Sustainable Energy Forum 2018 in Havana on 30-31 January was organised by the European Union and the Ministry of Energy and Mines of the Republic of Cuba, and attracted some 200 participants from Cuba and 18 other countries.

Representatives of the Cuban Government, the EU, OLADE (Latin American Energy Organisation) and IRENA (International Renewable Energy Agency) spoke at the opening ceremony. The Cuban Government was led by Vice President Ramiro Valdés Menéndez and Minister of Energy and Mines Alfredo López, while the EU was led by Stefano Manservisi, Director General for the European Commission's Directorate General for International Cooperation and Development. Speeches focused on Cuba's energy sector and its commitment to clean energy, the Cuba-EU EUR 18 million cooperation programme for the sector, and the EU's long-term commitment to supporting Cuba’s clean energy roadmap.

The first day of the Forum focused on the Cuban energy sector landscape, the regulatory environment, investment incentives and opportunities. The EU and some EU Member States (Italy, France and Spain) presented a range of opportunities for access to financing support for renewable energy investments. The EU conveyed the message that it is ready to support investment in the Cuban energy sector through EU funding instruments such as blending.

The second day of the Forum focused on energy technologies and their investment drivers. International experts agreed that increased cooperation between actors in the energy sector is needed, especially to reduce transaction costs.

For more videos on the event and on EU-Cuba relations:

http://www.cuba-sustainableenergyforum2017.eu/index.php/video/