In 2014 and 2015 a pilot plan was already carried out in Guatemala, which will be resumed for 10 weeks, a period in which tests will be carried out to mix 5% to 10% ethanol, in the different gasoline that are consumed locally.
The Guatemalan Ministry of Energy and Mines decided to revoke the license it had granted in early 2020 to the Rocja Pontilá hydroelectric project, in Coban, Alta Verapaz.
For the second time, Perenco Guatemala Limited was awarded a 25-year contract to operate the pipeline from Campo Xan in Petén to the Piedras Negras oil terminal in Izabal.
After multiple delays were reported in the tender, the Ministry of Energy and Mines of Guatemala was able to award the new contract, which was signed on June 18 by both parties and published on July 24 in the newspaper of Central America.
Because of the fact that in the first six months of the year Guatemala's oil bill totaled $1,440 million, 6% more than what was reported in the same period in 2018, businessmen in the sector project a rise in sales at the end of 2019.
Figures from the General Directorate of Hydrocarbons (DGH) of the Ministry of Energy and Mines (MEM), specify that between the first half of 2018 and the same period of 2019, the amount of the oil bill, which includes the cost of importing oil derivatives such as gasoline, diesel, bunker, asphalt, kerosine, butane, gas, petcoke, among others, increased by $78 million, going from $1,362 million to $1,440 million.
Difficulties in a generating plant in Costa Rica and the growing regional energy demand are some of the reasons of the increase in electricity exports from Guatemala.
Statistics by Banco de Guatemala report that between January and July of this year sales abroad of electric power amounted to $81.7 million, an amount that exceeds by 36% the $60 million registered in the first seven months of 2017.
Perenco Guatemala, the current operator of the pipeline, was the only bidder in the tender to obtain the concession for the operation and administration of the Hydrocarbons Transportation Stationary System.
The contract to operate the system includes a 425 kilometer pipeline, five pumping stations and the Piedras Negras export terminal, in Puerto Santo Tomás de Castilla, and the model of the contract to operate and manage it will be for a maximum of 25 years, with an option to extend.
Although it is not yet clear how it will be financed, representatives from both governments have started to work on the technical and legal details of the project.
Elperiodico.com.gt reports that "... Petroleos Mexicanos (Pemex) has put forward a scenario in which includes gas produced by Mexico and the gas imported from the US. The cost is estimated at around US $737 million and the execution would be carried out between 2016 and 2017.
On November 4th, Guatemala City will host a regional summit on energy investments in Central America.
From A statement issued by the Government of Guatemala:
The minister Erick Archila has announced that Guatemala will host a summit on energy investment in the countries of the Mesoamerican region which will take place on November 4, convened by the Ministry of Energy and Mines (MEM).
With the recently awarded contracts and tenders in process, it is estimated that by 2017 the energy matrix will grow by 52%, with hydropower accounting for 41.3%.
Prensalibre.com reports that "...With the contracts awarded, which are for 15 years, the installed power generation capacity will go from 2,519 megawatts (MW) recorded last May to three 3,836 MW. "
The Ministry of Energy and Mines is planning a tender for geothermal power generation to complement the renewable energy tenders that have already been announced.
Minister Erick Archila told S21.com.gt that "... we are at the stage of planning and development ... 'For the first time we have projects using other technologies such as solar and wind, which could start in early 2015; this fourth tender will be a complement.'"
In the second half of 2013 the country sold 450.9 GWh to the region, nearly four times more than the amount exported in the same period in 2012.
The energy crisis affecting countries such as Honduras has forced them to increase dependence on imported energy from Guatemala, which has become the leading supplier in Central America.
"...The last year's winter in southern Central America was not as copious as in Guatemala, which allowed it to export more energy. Added to this is its great potential as a producer.
The government of Guatemala is inviting companies to take part in an international tender for the construction of 604 kilometers of the electrical transmission network.
As previously announced on July 15, the Ministry of Energy and Mines in Guatemala has convened a formal tender to expand electricity coverage of the country through ".... the installation of 29 new substations, expansion of 22 existing ones and the adaptation of 51 kilometers of line."
A year after six areas for oil exploration were awarded, five of them still dont have contracts signed between the contractors and the government.
Prensalibre.com explains that "...The five areas that are pending are those awarded to Galax Garden Corporation, for the the San Francisco fields; the company Island Oil Exploration Services, SA, which will operate in Laguna Blanca; Trayectoria Oil & Gas Career, which will be situated in Cancuén as well as Greenfields Petroleum Guatemala, El Cedro Petén, Quiché and Alta Verapaz, and Loon-Petroleo Limited in Xacbal."
An announcement has been made that the conditions for the tender for 574 kilometers of power lines will be released on July 31.
The work comprises of "... 29 new substations, expansion of 25 new lines and more than 12 adaptations, establishing 574 kilometers of electricity transmission, divided into 5 lots covering the national territory."
Reports have arisen that the document signed by the Presidents of both countries, is not even accessible and there is even less basic information about the project's feasibility.
To date there has been no information available on the technical studies, financial analysis and feasibility reports. Neither is the data on the geographical path of the project, rights of way to be acquired, the intended beneficiaries, the source of the total funding required and the overall impact of the mega project.