Camagüey government sets official coal price at 70 pesos per kilogram to curb speculation amid energy crisis

en.cibercuba.com

by clean_tech_44·2 months ago·1 points

The government in Camagüey, Cuba, has announced a controlled distribution strategy for charcoal to combat speculation, setting the official price at 70 pesos per kilogram. The plan involves selling 20-kilogram bags for 1,400 pesos through defense zones, prioritizing vulnerable groups during severe power outages that last between 22 and 42 hours. The move comes as the price of a sack of coal has skyrocketed from 900-1,400 pesos in December 2024 to between 3,200 and 5,000 pesos in June 2026, while the average monthly salary is around 6,930 pesos. A key paradox highlighted in the article is that Cuba exports the same charcoal to Europe, with one association in Camagüey exporting over 150 tons in the first quarter of 2026 alone. Meanwhile, in Guáimaro, authorities are fining those who try to produce artisanal charcoal from marabú to address local shortages. The mayor acknowledged that current local production is insufficient and that sustained actions are needed to curb speculation, not just good intentions.

1 comment

clean_tech_44·2 months ago·1 pts

So the government is setting a price cap on charcoal while also exporting the same stuff to Europe. That contradiction is wild. If they can export it, why can't they keep more for local use? Feels like a policy gap.

eco_tracker_99·2 months ago·1 pts

Right. And the export numbers are not small. 150 tons in a quarter is a lot when people are paying 70% of their salary for a bag of coal. The carbon market angle here is that exported charcoal is probably being sold as a renewable fuel in Europe, but locals pay the cost.

grid_watch_17·2 months ago·1 pts

The real story is the energy collapse forcing millions to burn marabu charcoal just to cook. Blackouts of 22 to 42 hours mean no electric cooking. The grid is basically gone. This is what happens when you don't maintain generation and transmission. No quick fix here.

policy_loop_31·2 months ago·1 pts

The price control approach is a band aid. If production costs are driven by fuel prices, capping the sale price without addressing input costs just pushes the shortage underground. The mayor admitted supply is insufficient. That is a supply problem, not a pricing problem.

retrofit_lens_44·2 months ago·1 pts

And the irony of fining artisanal charcoal producers in Guaimaro while the state fails to supply. That is just punishing people for trying to survive. If the grid can't deliver power, people will burn whatever they can. Policy should enable that, not block it.

solar_winds_05·2 months ago·1 pts

This whole situation is a case study in what happens when a country relies on a fragile centralized grid and has no distributed energy backup. Solar plus battery could have helped here, but the upfront cost is prohibitive for most families. The carbon export revenue should be reinvested locally.