In the last ten years the use of renewable energy has doubled in the country, and currently sources of generation of this type represent between 65% and 70% of national consumption.
According to the authorities at the National Electricity Commission (CNEE), the stability that has been achieved in electricity rates and the lower dependence on oil derivatives, is due to the fact that the country is consuming more energy generated through renewable sources.
A new report by the Ministry of Energy and Mines provides detailed statistics on the electricity subsector, the generation matrix for 2011-2016, and data on renewable energy, among other things.
From the Introduction of the report entitled "Guatemala's New Energy Statistics Module", by the Ministry of Energy and Mines:
The purpose of this Energy Module is to show, in a synthetic way, the behavior of the main variables of the energy sector, especially the electricity subsector, which includes electricity generation by type of source and consumption of fuels used for said generation; effective installed capacity and power demand in the National Interconnected System; Supply and Consumption of electrical energy, imports and exports of energy, and electricity tariffs at the national and regional levels. Likewise, general aspects of renewable energies in electricity generation are shown, with an emphasis on solar and wind power.
The change in the energy matrix towards renewable sources is at risk "because of social unrest and systemic opposition to the development that Guatemala so desperately needs."
From the executive summary of the report"Impact of ungovernability and systemic opposition to renewable electricity generators and their socio economic effects locally and nationally both now and in the future 2015-2030":
The current national accounts methodology could be causing an underestimation of the value and potential of an industry that has become a success.
In his article in Ca-bi.com, Paulo de León objects to the failure to update the Guatemalan national accounts system, resulting in an underestimation of the weight of the sector in the Guatemalan economy, as that system does not incorporate the shift in the energy matrix towards renewable energy.
The plan is to implement longer terms in contracts and release energy and power demand from large customers.
The Energy Plan 2015-2020 presented by the National Secretariat of Energy in Panama is broken down into two main parts: first, the Short-Term Operational Plan 2015-2019, where proposals for the period are detailed, and second, the National energy Scenarios Plan 2015-2020, including projections of fuel prices and other energy sources and demand estimates, expected changes in the energy matrix and the future role of private companies in the energy system.
In the next 35 years more than $11 billion will need to be invested in new projects in order to meet electricity demand, which is projected to grow at an average annual rate of 5%.
Projections by the General Secretariat of Energy also indicate the need to invest in replacing power lines every ten years, with an estimated $3 billion of investment within 35 years.
On October 20th and 21st entrepreneurs from the region will gather together in Panama City to discuss issues such as the electricity market rules, new and renewable energy projects.
From a statement issued by the International Symposium on Energy:
This year the 8th. International Symposium on Energy seeks to promote spaces for reflection on energy issues, to help analyze the performance and limitations of developing new projects, build consensus, define the options for the energy market and, finally, develop a social impact using the media.
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.