Cuba Energy Program Saves One Million Tons Of Oil

Cuba: Energy Program Saves One Million Tons of Oil in One Year

Ciego de Avila, Cuba, March 25 (acn) -- Cuba saved nearly one million tons of oil in the period between 2006 and 2007, which translated into 400 million dollars, as a result of the ongoing nationwide energy program, known here as Energy Revolution.

The announcement was made by Jose Manuel Presa, deputy minister of the Basic Industry (energy and mining) while addressing participants at the opening session of the 8th International Workshop of the Cuban Society for the Promotion of Renewable Energy Sources and Environmental Respect (Cubasolar), underway in this central eastern city.

Presa said the achievement was the result of the implementation last year of a package of measures particularly aimed at saving energy. He stressed the need to improve efficiency in an international scenario where oil prices exceed 100 dollars a barrel.

The Cuban government official also said that the Cuban people is highly aware that saving energy is crucial, and their experiences in the field have been extended to other Latin American and Caribbean countries, such as Venezuela, Nicaragua and Haiti.

Presa also announced that the Cuban government has allocated 40 million dollars to further advance in the exploitation of renewable energy sources this year: "we are planning to increase the number of hydroelectric plants in the future; at present there are more than 100 of them in operation and outfitted with modern technology, so as to get the most out of the potential of our resorvoirs," he said.

Some 180 delegates from countries of Europe, Latin America and the Caribbean area are attending the International Workshop, which will wind up next Thursday.

During the first working session, participants spoke in favor of both the South-South and South-North Cooperation, the preservation of nature and the fight against desertification and drought.

ENDS

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