A free solar-powered charging station in Santa Clara, Cuba, has become a critical lifeline for residents struggling with chronic blackouts and a severe gas shortage, conditions exacerbated by a U.S. energy blockade. The station, known as a “solinera,” opened in early April 2026, providing essential power for electric vehicles and household appliances to workers and families who previously faced immense daily hardship.
Yudelaimys Barrero Muñoz, a worker who resells supplies, previously spent up to three hours daily hitchhiking 43 miles from Cienfuegos to Santa Clara under the blazing sun. Her family’s transportation was limited to a bicycle or a rechargeable three-wheeled vehicle whose battery could not complete the round trip, hindering her ability to secure merchandise. Barrero Muñoz stated, “If it hadn’t been for this, I wouldn’t have been able to keep selling,” noting she now has "more clients because I have more merchandise."
Her husband, Lorenzo Ravelo, explained that before acquiring their small three-wheeler, they would borrow money from neighbors to rent a car for their children’s medical care, making payments "however you can and whenever you can," a form of debt bondage forced by lack of resources. The free charging station now allows their family to travel regularly and even take trips to the beach. Ravelo described the station as "a great solution."
Cubans are traveling miles to the Santa Clara station on rechargeable motorcycles and three-wheeled vehicles, while others walk carrying cellphones, rice cookers, pressure cookers, and other essential appliances. The station provides 30 kilowatts of energy and a 60-kilowatt battery, enough to power an average U.S. home for a day, according to Alexander Gutiérrez Altuve, who works at the business that helped finance and set up the station.
Imperialist Blockade's Toll
The chronic blackouts and severe gas shortage plaguing the island stem directly from a U.S. energy blockade. This external economic pressure has forced workers and families into daily struggles for basic mobility and energy access. Danailys Arboláez Pérez, a 32-year-old mother of two who sells goods from her home, described the power outages last year as "apocalyptic."
Arboláez Pérez now cooks rice and beans and fries fish at the solar station, even when she has electricity, to save money on natural gas. She also recharges two fans for her children’s rooms as temperatures rise, stating, "We’re not running around so much. I cook slowly, calmly. … If the power goes out, I’ll just take the pot there."
Collective Solutions Emerge
The solar station, which offers 20 sockets for equipment, 16 vehicle charging spots, and 12 cooking spots, operates entirely free of charge. Lisandra Couto Pérez, a co-worker tracking usage, noted, "They are truly surprised when you tell them that it’s free." This collective provision of energy stands in stark contrast to systems driven by profit extraction.
The Cuban government has intensified the installation of solar panels in hospitals and other public places and established solar farms in response to the energy crisis. Renewable energy now constitutes approximately 10% of the island’s electricity, a significant increase from 3.6% in 2024. However, distribution remains limited, and few Cubans can afford to purchase and install private solar systems, underscoring the necessity of public, collective infrastructure.
The State's Role in Provision
The Santa Clara station was installed through a collaboration between the owner of a local business and the government. This partnership represents a state-backed effort to mitigate the effects of the blockade and provide essential services directly to the populace. Santa Clara, a city of nearly a quarter-million people, holds historical significance as the site where Ernesto Guevara de la Serna led a key battle during Cuba’s 1959 Revolution, 67 years ago, a struggle for national self-determination against external domination. The current collective energy initiatives reflect a continued effort to build resilience against ongoing imperialist pressures.