Berliner Missionswerk

renewable energy with biogas in Cuba

Situation in the rural area and project development in the Eastern province of Cuba

Eastern Cuba is one of the most deprived provinces in Cuba whose inhabitants generate revenue based on small-scale livestock. The majority of households in the region rely on government-supplied electricity. Cuba imports more than 50% of its electricity from abroad, making it expensive and unreliable for end users. Because of this, most people in the region use firewood and charcoal as substitutes. The deforestation caused by the use of firewood and charcoal is detrimental to the environment, and the use of open fires is a danger to the health of users. The local partner organizations Centro Lavastida and CCRD are cooperating with the Berlin mission to provide small farmers in rural areas with biogas plants. All materials required for plant production are provided by the partner organizations, only the locals help with the construction of the facilities. In total, 25 plants are planned. The Klima-Kollekte supports the project with 20,000 €.

Advantages of biogas plants

The use of biogas plants reduces the dependence on expensive electricity and replaces harmful smoke from wood and charcoal. The money saved can be invested in another way and the time gained can be spent with families. A biogas plant can supply 12 KWh, can supply up to eight people with electricity and thus saves 1.3 ha of forest, which corresponds to 6.5 t CO2 / year. Moreover, the residues after fermentation are a high quality organic fertilizer for the soil.

Project country

Cuba

Project type

renewable energy

Contribution to the SDG

Our partner

Among other tasks, the Berlin mission accommodates the work of the Church Development Service (KED) of the Protestant Church Berlin-Brandenburg-Silesian Upper Lusatia. This is the development policy department of the regional church. The aim of the work is to anchor the thementrias of the conciliar process for peace, justice and the preservation of creation in church life from the church to the national church, from kindergarten to academy. Ecclesial development cooperation is always guided by the experiences, skills and needs of ecumenical partners in the Global South, such as Centro Lavastida Santiago de Cuba and Centro Cristiano de Réflexion y Diálogo, Cardenas.

 

 

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