During 2020, 17 environmental impact studies were presented to carry out works in electrical networks and build power plants in different areas of Central American countries.
The interactive platform "Construction in Central America", from CentralAmericaData's Business Intelligence Unit, provides an updated list of public and private construction projects that have submitted environmental impact studies (EIA) to the respective institutions in each country.
A hydroelectric plant in Guatemala, a hotel in Panama and the expansion of an industrial plant in Costa Rica are part of the investments planned for the coming months in the region.
The interactive system "Construction in Central America", from the Trade Intelligence Unit of CentralAmericaData, includes the updated list of public and private construction projects that are expected to be developed, which in just that month totaled close to $1,000 in projected investment.
Empresa Nacional de Energía Eléctrica de Honduras tenders the supply, installation, testing and commissioning of specialized equipment for the Francisco Morazán Hydroelectric Power Plant.
Honduras Government Purchase PRRCH-61-LPI-O-:
"Supply, Installation, Testing, Commissioning and After-Sales Service of Four (4) Digital Static Excitation Systems for Synchronous Generator and (4) Excitation Transformers for the Francisco Morazán Hydroelectric Power Plant.
In the first nine months of 2018, 33 environmental impact studies were presented in the countries of the region to develop energy generating plants and work on electricity grids.
The interactive platform "Construction in Central America", compiled by the Business Intelligence Unit at CentralAmericaData, includes an up to date list of public and private construction projects for which environmental impact studies (EIA) were submitted to the respective institutions of each country.
Adverse court decisions against companies, social and political conflicts and fiscal issues are some of the factors that are impeding the development of productive projects in Central American countries.
One of the latest court decisions affecting companies with investments in the region was that of Minera Petaquilla, in Panama. The contract that this company had signed with the Panamanian State was declared unconstitutional last week.
Office towers in Costa Rica, a hydroelectric plant in Panama and an industrial plant in Guatemala are some of the projects planned for development in the coming months in the region.
The interactive platform "Construction in Central America" compiled by the Business Intelligence Unit at CentralAmericaData provides an up to date list of public and private construction projects for which EIA's were submitted to the respective institutions of each country in April 2017.
Eletrobras has sold its stake in Centrales Hidroeléctricas de Nicaragua for $44 million, clearing the way for the eventual resurgence of the hydroelectric project.
In a significant event notice sent to the stock market, the Brazilian company Eletrobras explained that Empresa Nicaraguense de Eletricidad (Enel) and Distribuidora de Electricidad del Norte S.A. - DISNORTE, bought its entire shareholding in CHN.
It has been announced that a court in Brazil has suspended the granting of funds to the project in Nicaragua, arguing that the financial situation of Eletrobras does not justify making an investment abroad.
A precautionary measure approved by Tribunal de Cuentas de la Unión(TCU), the watchdog of use of state resources in Brazil, has suspended the transfer of resources which had been allocated to Eletrobras for the construction, in consortium with the construction firm Queiroz y Galvao, of the Tumarín hydroelectric station in Nicaragua.
The lack of clarity about the future of the concession of the Tumarín hydroelectric project may be forcing other investment projects in the energy market to be put on hold.
The Ortega administration has not yet announced what process will be followed in order to re start the 253 MW hydroelectric construction project, whose concession was awarded directly by the government to the consortium made up of Eletrobras and Queiroz Galvao.
If the Brazilian consortium confirms its resignation of the Tumarín project, Nicaragua will have start a new process in order to tender the project which is indispensable for the country's development.
The construction of the hydropower station has been surrounded by secrecy and lack of transparency, conflicts of interest, legal and political uncertainty and cases of corruption in the investor's country.
The energy industry has doubts about the continuity of the project, whose feasibility could depend on the results of the corruption case involving its concessionarie Eletrobras.
Entrepreneurs in the energy sector in Nicaragua still have reservations about the feasibility of the Tumarín hydroelectric station construction project which was granted in concession to the consortium composed of Eletrobras and Queiroz Galvao, which are now involved in one of the biggest corruption scandals in Brazil. To date, the only certainty is that "... 'They bought the land, signed the agreements for the sale of energy, but we don't see any tractors removing land' said Cesar Zamora, chairman of the Chamber of Energy of Nicaragua, during a panel in which the energy outlook of the country was discussed. "
Approval has been given for a loan to build transmission lines that will connect the hydroelectric plant Tumarin Phase II with the National Load Dispatch Center in the municipality of Managua.
From a statement issued by the National Assembly of Panama:
Members of the National Assembly approved on March 1 a loan decree agreed with the European Investment Bank, EIB, which will be used to finance the construction of transmission lines to connect the hydroelectric plant Tumarin Phase II with the National Center Load dispatch in the Municipality of Managua.
The drop in oil prices has made clean energy less profitable, going from 30%, in previous years to 12%.
The approval of the General Electricity Law passed in Guatemala ten years ago encouraged a boom in the generation and transmission of electricity in the country, including from renewable sources. In the past five years, 28 new hydropower stations of over 5 MW were set up.
In Costa Rica a 650 MW hydropower project in which $129 million has already been invested, has made no progress in 20 years, pending an "intercultural dialogue" which has not even begun.
EDITORIAL
The problem is not that infrastructure is to be built in indigenous territories without dialogue . Nor it is that the dialogue is fruitless. A conflict has not even arisen.
The Austrian company Andritz Hydro has won a contract to renovate and modernize the Centralamerica and Carlos Fonseca hydro electric stations with a joint investment of $40 million.
From a statement issued by Empresa Nicaragüense de Electricidad:
The Government of Reconciliation and National Unity through the Empresa Nicaragüense de Electricidad (ENEL), in order to improve mechanical efficiency, extending the life of the generating equipment for the next 25 years, signed on October 20, 2015 , a contract with the International Company ANDRITZ HYDRO , winner of the bidding process, "Acquisition of Design, supply, installation and commissioning of plant elements for Renovation of the Hydroelectric Stations Central America and Carlos Fonseca".