Havana, Jan 14 (IANS) Cuba is trying out physical, chemical and microbiological tests to obtain renewable energy from agricultural, livestock, industrial and forest waste, the Prensa Latina news agency reported.

The tests are being carried out at the Centre for Biogas and Environmental Engineering in Sancti Spiritus province.

According to preliminary studies, there are chances to replace on a yearly basis the use of some 4,000 tonnes of oil in the country.

Fernando Medinilla, head of Cubasolar, a non-government organisation that promotes renewable energy and installs solar systems as well as performs research in this field, said there was great potential to produce biogas from pig faeces.

The report said over 1,200 facilities are contributing to power-saving efforts in the province, including windmills, bio-digestors, micro hydro-power plants and solar panels.