The company UEP Penonomé II plans to invest $130 million in the construction of the fourth phase of the wind farm, increasing total capacity to 67 MW.
The company in charge of the project announced that in the fourth stage it will add 25 new turbines, which could be of a size greater than those already present on the wind farm. It is expected that construction work will begin in January 2016.
On July 30 energy companies will be gathering together to find out about the proposed government Energy Policy 2015-2030 and other topics such as advances in distributed generation.
From a statement issued by the Chamber of Industries of Costa Rica:
VI National Congress on Energy, "National Reality and Perspectives"
On 30 July, the Chamber of Industries of Costa Rica will be holding the Sixth National Congress on Energy entitled, "National Reality and Prospects" which will be held in the Wyndham Hotel Herradura Convention Center.
It is estimated that 100 MW of extra energy a year demanded by Panamanians require an average investment in generation and distribution systems of $400 million a year.
Every year the addition is needed of another 100 MW of power in order to meet the country's growing demand for energy, representing an investment of approximately $400 million a year, according to data from the National Energy Secretariat.
The clean energy company VIASPACE has announced that it will be designing and building, together with the Nicaraguan company Agricorp, a plant which generates energy from waste.
From a statement issued by VIASPACE:
VIASPACE Inc. announced that together with Agricorp it has signed an agreement to acquire engineering and construction supervision of a 12 MW biomass plant, which will measure 834 hectares (2,060 acres).
Up to January 13 final licenses have been issued for installing solar plants with a combined capacity of 336 MW and 54 temporary licenses for the generation of 800 MW.
With the 67 licenses issued so far by the National Authority for Public Services it is expected that 1136 MW of solar power will be generated. For the final licenses, some projects are already under construction and others are scheduled to start energy production in the coming months.
The law reform which is being prepared by the government establishes that future exploration and exploitation of geothermal power will have to be carried out in partnership with the state.
The head of the Sandinista parliamentary group, Edwin Castro, said that the reform draft states that "... the Nicaraguan Electricity Company (ENEL by its initials in Spanish), will represent the state for private companies that operating thermal energy generated from volcanoes ... (allowing) for 'greater income' ... from geothermal projects. "
On october 15th and 16th companies from the sector will gather together in Panama City in order to discuss issues such as energy efficiency, technology and the use of renewable energy in the region.
From a statement issued by the Union of Industrialists of Panama:
Panama, September 18, 2014. The Union of Industrialists of Panama (SIP), in light of energy issues and the implementation of new regulations that will reduce the cost of energy, will be holding from 15th to 16th of October 2014, at the Hotel El Panama, the 7th International Symposium on Energy entitled: "Industry, Innovative contributions to the electricity market.
The World Bank points to macroeconomic stability and the energy matrix, as factors that make investment in the country attractive.
The managing director and Chief Operating Officer of the World Bank (WB), Sri Mulyani Indrawati pointed to Nicaragua as the Latin American country with the "healthiest portfolio of projects," pointing to the $700 million which has been awarded in loans.
Hydroelectric projects and expansion of distribution networks are part of the opportunities that Colombian Power firms are looking to take advantage of in the Isthmus.
There are now three Colombian energy sector companies that have decided to venture into Central America to be part of the development of an activity that still has much room for growth in the region.
The private sector has proposed that free competition in the generation market be maintained and it not be regulated and that there be a permanent plan to promote energy savings.
From a press release issued by the Presidency of Panama:
The Energy Agency Committee, comprising of representatives from the private sector, handed over to the Presidency Minister, Roberto Henriquez, a proposal to make the energy market in Panama more dynamic and economical.
In June a new bidding process will begin to award 200 megawatts of electricity in Guatemala.
This was announced by the chief of Energy and Mines, Erick Archer during his presentation at the investment forum Investment Summit 2013.
Archila said that in 2014 another 200 megawatts will be offered, which would amount to more than a thousand megawatts tendered during this administration.
Congress will start discussing in the next few days a bill that exempts import taxes to generators using solar technology.
Panamaamerica.com.pa reports that "the diversification of the energy matrix through the use of renewable natural resources, such as solar and wind power has become one of the main objectives of the policy to generate electricity in the country. "
Cenérgica is planning to build in El Salvador a coal power generation plant, which would produce about 150 megawatts.
However, according to Ricardo Hernandez, CEO of Cenérgica, execution of the project planned by the company IC Power, part of Israel Corporation Limited (IC) will depend on the suitability of the tender conditions for the contract for the long-term supply of 350 MW .
The energy crisis in Panama is costing the country between $30 and $42 million per day, despite the saving measures in place.
So explained economist David Saied, who said that keeping air conditioners switched off reduces productivity (per person) by between 30% and 40%.
According to the expert, the use of power generators means costs for companies that are three times higher and the cost could go even higher if measures are taken to introduce power cuts.
The 15-year projection is based on the objective of converting Guatemala into the main energy platform in Central America.
From a press release issued by the Ministry of Energy and Mines (MEM) of Guatemala:
During an official ceremony at the National Palace of Culture, the President Otto Perez Molina, announced the launch of the 2013-2027 Energy Policy, which will aim to ensure that 100% of new energy projects address sustainable development principles.