Total, Siemens mulling LNG-to-power project in Cuba

A consortium comprising France’s Total and the German conglomerate Siemens are reportedly first in line to sign a deal for the construction of a 600-megawatt gas-fired power plant in Cuba.

Citing diplomats, Reuters reports the consortium has been mulling over the contract since winning the tender for the project last year.

Total confirmed to Reuters an LNG-to-power project is being considered for Cuba as well as some other countries where the company is exploring the potential.

The finalization of the contract between Cuba and Total-Siemens consortium is hampered by the U.S. sanctions and the Cuban bureaucracy, despite the country opening up to foreign investment.

In July 2016, Siemens signed a memorandum of understanding with the Cuban state-owned utility Unión Eléctrica (UNE) aimed at modernizing the country’s infrastructure.

Under the current plan, Total would deliver liquid gas from abroad and supply it to the power plant built by Siemens.

The project would up Cuba’s power capacity that is currently at 6,000 megawatts that is 95 percent generated from fossil fuels. Cuba is aiming to have 24 percent of its power produced from renewable sources by 2030.