古巴通訊（18B） 古巴舒緩能源危機，三年有成

「台灣古巴後援會籌備中」，第十八期通訊，2007年7月11日。

 

美聯社 WILL WEISSERT 報導，台灣古巴後援會編譯

  

聯合國環境主任Achim Steiner7月5日表示，2004年以來古巴面臨的能源危機，在古巴政府未破壞環境之下，如今已經舒緩許多。

 

古巴在2004年時，曾經一日僅供應八小時電力。因應緊急情況，古巴啟動多重措施，包括訂2006年為「能源革命」年，率全球之先，汰換傳統白熾鎢絲燈泡，改用比傳統燈泡節省20%電力（或僅要傳統燈泡20％電力，待查）的燈泡。

 

2005年，古巴徵募2萬8千青年志願者分配燃料，挨家挨戶地更換了數百萬個白熾燈管，用節能燈管代替。

 

不過，古巴電力系統仍然重度依靠瓦斯動能反應器，及嚴重污染空氣的汽油電廠及使用石化燃料的汽機車，雖然政府已經採取重要步驟，包括投入風能、太陽能與生質燃料（淬取自蔗糖，與美國從玉米淬取不同）。

 

http://www.nctimes.com/articles/2007/07/05/science/18_46_187_4_07.txt

UN official: Cuba has solved its energy crisis without sacrificing its environment

By: WILL WEISSERT - Associated Press Writer | Wednesday, July 4, 2007 8:00 PM

HAVANA -- Cuba has solved crippling energy shortages that plagued the island as recently as 2004 without sacrificing a long-term commitment to promoting environmentally friendly fuels, the head of the U.N. Environment Program said Wednesday.

The electric grid still relies too heavily on wasteful gas-flare reactors and heavy polluting diesel generators, but the communist government has taken important steps toward developing wind and solar power, as well as ethanol from sugar cane, said Achim Steiner, the program's executive director.

"Cuba a few years ago was facing a real energy crisis, 16 hours of electricity cuts and therefore a realization that the economy was going to collapse under this system," said Steiner, in Havana for a conference on the environment and development.
"In terms of a short term response, it is quite remarkable how Cuba, under its economic conditions, managed to solve that crisis," he said.

At a news conference, Steiner added that "Cuba can look proudly at having solved a short-term crisis with a long-term commitment toward cleaner energy." He said his organization wanted to "put a spotlight on Cuba's efforts."

Just three years ago, the country was hit by blackouts that wounded the economy while enraging a population suffering through the merciless summer months without air conditioning, fans or any way to refrigerate food.

The government's response was a sweeping "energy revolution" that included an overall of the antiquated electrical grid, as well conservation drives.

Fidel Castro appeared on television nearly daily to explain improvements in excruciating detail and government workers went door to door in many neighborhoods, replacing incandescent light bulbs with more-efficient alternatives.

Steiner praised the energy revolution, but noted that things were far from ideal. A gas reactor throws a plume of dark smoke over Havana's otherwise idyllic bay and most vehicles here use leaded gasoline and diesel that fill the air with pollutants.

Cuba's economy has recovered well after the 1991 collapse of the Soviet Union cost Havana billions in generous subsidies. But that recovery has largely been fueled by oil-rich Venezuela, whose socialist president, Hugo Chavez, provides the island with oil at favorable prices.

 

古巴在2004年發生什麼事情，以致於啟動能源改革，歡迎後援會朋友提供資訊。