Due to the drop in economic activity generated by the covid-19 crisis, a 7.9% reduction in domestic electricity consumption was reported in the region between March and June 2020, when compared to the levels of the same period in 2019.
Regarding the reduction of internal consumption of electricity in the countries from March to June 2020, we have that Guatemala had a drop in its demand of 239 GWh (Gigawatt hours), which corresponds to 6.6% compared to the consumption of electricity in 2019, in the case of El Salvador with a reduction of 335 GWh, equivalent to 15.4%, says a report from the Regional Operating Agency (EOR).
During 2019, 80 environmental impact studies were presented to carry out work on electrical networks and to build energy generation plants in different areas of Central American countries.
The interactive platform "Construction in Central America", of the Trade Intelligence Unit of CentralAmericaData, includes an updated list of public and private construction projects that present environmental impact studies (EIS) to the respective institutions in each country.
Empresa Nacional de Energia Electrica de Honduras tenders for the expansion of the San Buenaventura substation.
Honduras Government Purchase ENEE-2-LPI-O:
"The scope for the expansion of the substation consists of the supply, design engineering, installation, transfers, spare parts, factory and on-site testing, and commercial operation.
The contractor will have to build a bay with two power switches that will connect to a feeder to receive the new transmission line coming from San Pedro Sula South Substation, which consists of the supply and installation of electromechanical equipment in the substation yard such as 230kV power switches, 230kV potential transformers, 230kV lightning arresters, 230kV three-pole disconnectors, metallic support structures for major and minor equipment, 230kV inductive potential transformers for the substation's own service.
In the context of the health crisis and home quarantine, the average daily consumption in the country is about 18 GWh, which is 25% less than that reported prior to the outbreak of the virus.
Data from the Transaction Unit (TU) indicate that between the levels reported in February and the demand registered from March 23 to April 3, consumption has fallen from 19.6 GWh to 15 GWh on average.
If the quarantine and mobility restriction measures are extended by two months, it is forecast that by the end of the year the annualized demand for electricity generation, transmission and distribution in Central America will have fallen by 4%.
The "Information System for the Impact Analysis of Covid-19 on Business", prepared by the Trade Intelligence Unit of CentralAmericaData, measures the degree of impact that the crisis will have on companies according to their sector or economic activity, considering various scenarios for the coming months.
Without clarifying which companies or individuals could apply the measure, the Bukele administration announced a three-month exemption from payment of mortgage loans, services such as water, electricity, Internet, cable and telephone.
These measures may be applied by all those "... natural and legal persons, which are directly affected by the covid-19 pandemic and government institutions must ensure that in their implementation there is no abuse or exploitation". As a result of this announcement, uncertainty has arisen as it is not clear how those "directly affected" will be determined.
In El Salvador, the electricity distribution company Delsur announced that this year it plans to invest in building a substation, increasing power transfer capacity and electrifying rural areas.
Directors of the company reported that for this year it is considered to start the construction of the new substation El Volcán, which will serve as an energy supply point for the metropolitan area of Santa Tecla and will require about $2.6 million.
The Rio Lempa Hydroelectric Executive Commission is tendering the supply of goods and services for preventive maintenance every 10 years for unit 2 of the 15 de Septiembre hydroelectric plant.
El Salvador Government Purchase CEL-LP 06/20:
"It will be considered that for the supply of goods and contracting of the requested services, they are integral; that is to say, after the provision of the requested supervision services, the systems of turbine speed regulator, thrust bearing lifting, upper, intermediate and lower bushings of distributor blades, distribution valves for impeller blades and distributor blades and carbon seal, will be fully functional and will operate in a satisfactory manner for CEL.
The Autonomous Executive Port Commission of El Salvador tenders the works for the improvement of the electrical infrastructure of the Substation No.2 of the International Airport Oscar Romero.
El Salvador Government purchase DR-CAFTA-ADACA-UE CEPA-LA-13/2020:
"A company will be contracted to supply, install and carry out civil works for the assembly of medium voltage panels and cells in Substation No.
During 2019, electricity purchase and sale transactions between Central American countries amounted to 3,074 GWh, a 14% increase compared to 2018.
Figures from the Regional Operating Entity (EOR) show that the average price recorded in regional transactions during 2018 and 2019 also increased, going from $74.05 per MWh to $90.11 per MWh.
Electricity distributor AES El Salvador announced that this year it plans to invest $36 million in modernizing the network, which includes the renovation of 8,120 residential and industrial meters.
The company's directors informed that they are contemplating works to expand the electricity distribution networks, the renovation of smart meters, the maintenance of overhead lines and the growth in the construction of underground networks.
Between January 15 and April 14, 2020, the electricity tariff will decrease by an average of 5% compared to the price reported in the previous quarter.
The contribution of renewable energy registered a significant increase in the system, reaching 67% of the injections in the Wholesale Market in the last quarter, while in the previous quarter it was only 46%, being this the main reason behind the reduction in the tariffs.
Arguing that there is a risk that energy transactions in the region will become more expensive, Guatemalan businessmen are asking the outgoing government to refrain from approving or signing reforms to the Central American Electricity Market Framework Treaty.
Because on January 10 the discussion is programmed within the Director Council of the Regional Electric Market of Central America (CDMER), the subscription of the Third Protocol, which would reform the Framework Treaty of the Electric Market, the private sector of Guatemala has issued an alarm before any change in the regulations, since it could cause increases in the prices of energy transactions or generate negative effects in the Guatemalan market and its interconnection with Mexico.
From November 20 to 22, the second edition of the Gas and Energy Summit of the Americas will be held in Panama City, where topics related to the financing of energy projects will be discussed.
The second edition of the Gas and Energy Summit of the Americas will combine conferences on strategic topics with high-level government presentations, thematic debates on innovative content, as well as discussion panels for the collective construction of solutions, led by prominent figures from the regional and global energy sector, informed the Ministry of Commerce and Industries (MICI).
AES and Corporación Multi Inversiones inaugurated a 10 megawatt solar power plant in Guazapa, El Salvador.
The plant was inaugurated on 29 October and forms part of the Bosphorus project, which consists of the commissioning of 10 power generation parks of 10 MW each.