Cuba’s current energy sector is responsible for 70.5% of total gross GHG emissions, due to the high dependence on fossil fuels for energy generation which are mostly imported. On the other hand, Cuba is rich in natural resources, which under sustainable management, can become drivers of the country’s energy transition.

Under this premise, Aiguasol is leading the technical assistance to provide the conceptual design of the biomass supply for the installation of a 12MWel power generation plant of installed capacity in the areas surrounding the sawmill “Combate de las Tenerías” belonging to the Agroforestry Company Macurijes.

The study contemplates the use of industrial waste from the sawmill, forest residues, degraded eucalyptus plantations and Marabú (an invasive species introduced into Cuba from Europe), as resources of biomass energy. This project is part of the financing program focused on Technical Assistance to Small Island Developing States. 

The main objectives of the project are:

• Evaluation and validation of the volumes of the proposed energy resources destined for the project.
• Evaluation and validation of the physical-mechanical and chemical properties of the different biomass sources.
• To design and assess the appropriate technological concept for the harvesting, transport, pre-treatment and storage of the various biomass sources indicated above.
• Design the reforestation plan.
• Carry out the financial evaluation of the biomass supply concept that allows conclusions to be drawn about the profitability and efficiency of the proposal.
• Risk analysis.
• Approximate calculation of the reduction in GHG emissions, fossil fuel no longer consumed (ton equivalents) by the generation of energy from biomass.

The project aims at providing electricity from biomass sources to the public grid within the province of Pilar del Río, becoming a pioneer initiative of bioenergy in the region.