Energy and data: International project boosts university resilience in Cuba
30 March 2026
Camaguey.– Amid the challenges of the current context, an academic alliance with European reach places the University of Camaguey (UC) at the center of a key transformation: the implementation of a photovoltaic generation system with storage that will safeguard the operation of its critical infrastructure.
This was confirmed by Dr. Eduardo Sierra Gil, Director of Science, Technology and Innovation at the University of Camaguey, during the recent Board of Directors meeting, according to social media profiles of the University, detailing the scope of PULSE-C, a strategic collaboration that links Belgium, the Netherlands, Spain and Cuba, with the participation of five national universities and the Ministry of Higher Education (MES).
"At the University of Camaguey, we will be working on the energy security of vital facilities such as the Electroenergetics Testing Laboratory (LEPEL) and the Data Hub. With the installation of solar panels and storage systems, we are ensuring the continuity of services in the event of any power outage," explained Sierra Gil.
The project, framed within the European Union’s ERASMUS+ program, has a duration of four years and is coordinated in Cuba by the Central University “Marta Abreu” of Las Villas (UCLV). Its core purpose is to support the Dual Transition—energy and digital—in Cuban Higher Education, and each participating institution is developing case studies that demonstrate the applicability of this concept.
In the case of the University of Camaguey, the impact goes beyond the technical aspects. The intervention in LEPEL and the Data Node will allow these spaces – key to research and university management – to operate with renewable sources, reduce their environmental footprint and serve as a pedagogical model for students of related careers.
"This is an example of how international cooperation, when aligned with national priorities, can accelerate institutional resilience. It's not just about solar panels; it's about ensuring that our university continues to be a pillar of stability, even in times of crisis," the executive emphasized.
The PULSE-C project, a joint initiative between the European Education and Culture Executive Agency (EACEA) and the Flemish Interuniversity Council (VLIR-UOS) as the European coordinating body, further highlights the strategic role of higher education in building sustainable universities capable of leading the transition to a cleaner, more digitalized, and self-sufficient model. For Camaguey, the initiative represents a concrete step toward energy sovereignty for the first university established by the Revolution.
