Cuba does produce its own oil, it has three offshore oil fields, that are located approximately 5 km off its north coast. A partnership between the Spanish oil company Reposl YPF, and Cuba's own state run oil company, estimate that Cuba has offshore reserves that are capable of producing between 4.6, and 9.3 billion barrels of crude oil.
Cuba produces roughly 32,000 barrels of oil a day, which meets about 40% of its national needs, the rest is imported, with significant investment it could produce more than enough to meet its own requirements and sell its excess production to other countries. Unfortunately the U.S. embargo which has been in place since the 1960's, makes this very difficult.
Cuba's natural gas production at the Energas Varadero facility (which is part owned by the Canadian company Sherritt International) produces electricity for Varadero, and other tourist areas such as Havana. This ensures consistent power to these regions and beyond.
Cuba has been making rapid progress in its push to promote renewable energy in Cuba over the last 20 years. Cuba has 49 grid connected solar parks, with plans to build 92 by 2028, it also has 7 large windfarms, with plans to increase this number significantly over the next decade as well. Cuba is one of the most sustainable countries in the world, in fact in 2006 it was named as the most sustainable country in the developed world by the WWF. Most hotels in Cuba embrace the push towards green energy, with hotel chains like Iberostar, and Melia leading the way, some hotels like the Melia Trinidad Peninsula run on 80% solar energy. Private homes, Casa particulars (Private guest houses) and Paladars (local restaurants) have also joined the push towards green energy.
Rural areas do suffer blackouts at times due to the U.S. fuel embargo, but Cuba's renewable energy, and natural gas production, along with its crude oil output helps ensure that Varadero, Havana and other key tourist areas are able to operate normally, as tourism is vital for the Cuban economy and its people.
