Varadero airport: Cuba’s first to be 100% self-sufficient using solar energy

With a capacity of 1,212 MW and storage for 5 hours, the Juan Gualberto Gómez International Airport will guarantee stable and sustainable operations, sending a message of resilience to the world amidst the complex energy situation facing the island.

In a context of enormous challenges for the National Electric System (SEN), Cuba’s main tourism hub is taking an important step toward the future. The Juan Gualberto Gómez Ferrer International Airport, gateway to Varadero, will become the first airport in the country to self-manage its entire electricity demand thanks to the installation of an ambitious solar park.

According to information published by the newspaper Girón, this project, which is already in the preparation phase, is not only an infrastructure project but also an energy lifeline for Cuba’s most important sun and beach destination.

While much of the country faces electricity supply issues, Varadero is preparing to operate independently and reliably. The installation, which will deliver 1,212 megawatts (MW) to the grid, will cover 100% of the airport’s power demand, especially during peak tourist hours between 10:00 a.m. and 3:00 p.m.

The secret to this autonomy lies in a storage system with a five-hour capacity. This means that even after sunset or in the event of a national grid outage, critical operations—check-in counters, baggage handling, air conditioning, and navigation systems—will continue to function without interruption. For tourists arriving in search of all-inclusive comfort, this translates into a seamless arrival experience, an invaluable asset in promoting the destination.

Osmany Sánchez, general secretary of the local party committee at the institution, confirmed on his social media, according to the Matanzas-based digital news outlet, that the project not only represents a significant saving in fossil fuels, but also positions the terminal “at the forefront of the energy transition in Cuba.”

This decision aligns Varadero with a global trend. According to data from the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA) cited by Girón, approximately 20% of the world’s airports already use solar energy to mitigate their environmental impact. However, in the current Cuban context, this initiative takes on a greater dimension: it is a message of resilience for Canadian, European, and Russian tour operators. It demonstrates that, despite the difficulties, Cuba’s main tourist destination guarantees the stability and quality of service, protecting its main selling point.

The Juan Gualberto Gómez Airport will not only be a model for future installations at other airports in the country, as the publication points out, but also becomes a unique selling point for Varadero: a destination that ensures its own energy supply. In the battle for post-pandemic tourism recovery and amid global energy crises, that is a competitive advantage that few destinations in the Caribbean can offer.