In 2017, purchases of electric motors and generators from Central American countries totaled $152 million, which represents an increase of 3% compared to the previous year.
Figures from the information system on the Electric Motors and Generators Market in Central America, compiled by the Business Intelligence Unit at CentralAmericaData : [GRAFICA caption = "Click to interact with graph"]
In 2017, purchases of electric wires and cables from Central American countries totaled $791 million and grew by 74% with respect to the previous year, in contrast to the fall recorded between 2015 and 2016.
Figures from the information system of the Market of Wires, Cables and Other Electricity Conductors in Central America, compiled by the Business Intelligence Unit at CentralAmericaData: [GRAFICA caption = "Click to interact with graph"]
Price of a gallon of regular gasoline: Costa Rica $4.22, Nicaragua $3.99, Honduras $3.78, El Salvador $3.58, Guatemala $3.54 and Panama $3.24.
From a statement issued by the Ministry of Economy of El Salvador:
The latest report provided by the IEA states that inventories of oil and its derivatives from the United States fell by 1.4 million barrels, which has affected prices in the global market; likewise, gasoline inventories dropped by 3.8 million barrels, while distillate and diesel reserves decreased by 100,000 barrels; It should be noted that during the last two weeks these inventories have decreased a total of 7.7 million barrels, these figures impact the prices of domestic liquid fuels, due to the fact that El Salvador is a net importer of petroleum products.
Price of gallon of regular gasoline: Costa Rica $4.09, Nicaragua $3.98, Honduras $3.69, Guatemala $3.49, El Salvador $3.50 and Panama $3.20.
From a statement issued by the Ministry of Economy of El Salvador: [GRAFICA caption = "Click to interact with graphs"] Added to the geopolitical tension generated by the US' decision to withdraw from the nuclear pact with Iran, is the increase in demand from Asian countries, especially China, which is the country that consumes the most crude oil and derivatives.Its latest report indicates that it has reached record levels with 9 million barrels per day, representing 10% of world consumption and more than a third of the entire Asian continent, leaving less product in the market. This, combined with the tight production restrictions of the OPEC and non-OPEC countries led by Russia and possible sanctions against Iran, is pushing international prices upwards, causing the country to experience increases for the present fortnight.
Price of the gallon of regular gasoline: Costa Rica $4.10, Nicaragua $3.86, Honduras $3.66, El Guatemala $3.43, Salvador $3.42 and Panama $3.05.
From a report by the Ministry of Economy of El Salvador:
The current geopolitical events in the Middle East, in particular an attack on Syria led by the coalition of the United States, France and the United Kingdom, has caused great uncertainty among investors and prices in theHydrocarbons market, due to the fact that this could lead to a substantial decrease in production, in addition to the one that the Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) has had in place since the end of 2016, affecting world supply and causing prices to maintain their upward trend.[GRAFICA caption = "Click to interact with graph"]
From June 5 to 9, companies from the energy industry will be gathering together in San Pedro Sula to take part in business conferences and discuss issues that are relevant to the sector.
The initiative is being run by state entities and the private sector, and will take place between June 5 and 9 at the Convention Center of the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Cortés (CCIC) in San Pedro Sula.
Price of a gallon of regular gasoline: Costa Rica $4.05, Nicaragua $3.77, Honduras $3.58, El Salvador $3.26, Guatemala $3.19 and Panama $2.91.
From a report by the Ministry of Economy of El Salvador:
The current reference prices show increases in all products due to the latest report provided by the Energy Information Administration (AIE), the issue of tariffs and international political sanctions by the US government. [GRAFICA caption = "Click to interact with graph"]
Price of gallon of regular gasoline: Costa Rica $4.02, Nicaragua $3.71, Honduras $3.63, Guatemala $3.22, El Salvador $3.20 and Panama $2.95.
From a report by the Ministry of Economy of El Salvador:
The current reference prices are experiencing their second reduction at the national level due to the tension generated by North American and geopolitical productive factors created by uncertainty inworld tariffmatters. [GRAFICA caption = "Click to interact with graph"]
From January to September 2017, countries in the region imported $229 million worth of electrical transformers, and 43% were purchased by companies in Costa Rica and Panama.
Figures from the information system "Market for Electric Transformers and Converters and Reactor Coils in Central America" , compiled by the Business Intelligence Unit at CentralAmericaData: [GRAFICA caption = "Click to interact with graph"]
Price of the gallon of regular gasoline: Costa Rica $4.02, Honduras $3.68, Nicaragua $3.61, El Salvador $3.24, Guatemala $3.21, and Panama $2.97.
From a report by the Ministry of Economy of El Salvador:
The drop in fuel prices is largely due to record US oil production, which for a second consecutive week exceeded 10 million barrels placing it as the second largest producer in the world below Russia; as well as an increase in exports, a reduction of imports and the strengthening of the dollar in the raw material markets at an international level.[GRAFICA caption = "Click to interact with graph"]
The Mexican company Zetrak has inaugurated a plant in Amatitlán, department of Guatemala, for the manufacture of electrical distribution and power transformers.
Executives from Zetrak Guatemala stated that the "...objective of the new production plant, which will have all of the technical-commercial support of Zetrak Mexico, is to provide a more personalized service and a prompt response for all customers in Central America."
Price of gallon of regular gasoline: Costa Rica $3.98, Nicaragua $3.80, Honduras $3.71, Guatemala $3.32, El Salvador $3.32 and Panama $2.99.
From a report by the Ministry of Economy of El Salvador:
The United States reported its second increase in its oil inventories on February 7 of this year, in which its production reached a record of 10.25 million barrels per day (bpd) in the last week, as reported by the U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA); where an 11 week downward streak was reversed, affected by low temperatures and the holiday season.
An electrical transmission line in Panama, the expansion of an aqueduct in Costa Rica and a medical center in Guatemala are some of the projects planned for the coming months in the region.
The interactive system "Construction in Central America", compiled by the Business Intelligence Unit at CentralAmericaData, includes an up to date list of public and private construction projects that are planned to be built in the region.
Price of gallon of regular gasoline: Costa Rica $3.93, Nicaragua $3.74, Honduras $3.63, Guatemala $3.31, El Salvador $3.29 and Panama $2.99.
From a report by the Ministry of Economy of El Salvador:
The harsh winter that has hit the United States has caused an increase in the production of energy generated frompetroleumderivatives, which is used for heating, as well as the general consumption of derivatives in the North American country, which has contributed to a decrease in reserves in the United States.[GRAFICA caption = "Click to interact with graph"]
With 19% endemic poverty, 10% open unemployment and 40% informal employment, and some of the highest electricity rates in the region, Costa Rica is opposed to $1 billion in clean energy investments.
EDITORIAL
By Jorge Cobas González
Meanwhile, the bureaucracy of state-owned companies continues to prescribe first-world remuneration, and continues to protect its privileges following ECLAC development concepts from the middle of the last century, which are utterly out of place today.Because Costa Rica does not have the investment capacity or know-how necessary for the development of latest generation renewable energy projects, even though it has all of the necessary primary conditions: sun, wind, thermal energy.