Havana, January 21 (RHC)-- Cuban scholars, specialists, and officials will exchange ideas and projects to promote the national strategy for the development of renewable energy sources.

Starting this Tuesday and until Saturday, the workshop entitled Innovation for Sustainable Energy Development in Cuba will be held at the Vedado Hotel in Havana. The event is organized by the National Group of Universities for Renewable Energy Sources and Energy Efficiency, which includes seven houses of higher studies.

According to the event's organizers, Karla Cedano, of the Institute of Renewable Energies of the National Autonomous University of Mexico, will participate. 

As part of its development strategy, by 2030 Cuba plans to generate 24 percent of its electricity from clean energy sources through the use of sugarcane biomass, solar panels, wind farms, and small hydroelectric plants.

This weekend, testing began for the operation of the country's first bioelectric plant, which uses marabú, an invasive plant found in the island's fields, as fuel.

When fully operational, the facility is expected to generate some 60 megawatts/hour, half the energy consumption of the Ciego de Avila province power plant, where it was built.

The island also promotes the construction of photovoltaic and wind farms in various parts of the country, given the possibilities offered by these technologies as substitutes for fossil fuels and in environmental protection, says Prensa Latina.