The Electrical Interconnection System for Central American countries will be a decisive factor in reducing the cost of electricity at the regional level.
According to Ibrán Bueso, a legal advisor for the National Electricity Company (ENEE) in energy, one of the objectives of consolidation of the Electric Interconnection System for Central American Countries (Siepac) is to strengthen the competitiveness of the region by reducing its energy costs.
Since the establishment of electrical interconnection, Mexico has billed Guatemala an average of $5.47 million a month.
From October 2010 until March, Guatemala has paid Mexico on average $5.47 million a month for the sale of electricity, according to data from the Guatemala’s National Institute of Electrification (INDE).
The percentage comes from the purchase of 54 thousand 106.1 megawatt hours (MWh).
The purchase serves some 180 thousand 300 houses with an average consumption of 300 kilowatt hours per month, according to data from the National Energy Commission (CNEE).
"Carlos Colom, president of the National Energy Commission (CNEE), indicated that the result of the interconnection, besides stabilizing the system to avoid blackouts or reinforce what is generated by the country, is that at certain times during the day it helps lower the price (spot price for energy market opportunity)", reports Prensalibre.com.
Purchase of electricity coming from Mexico halted on 31 August due to the expiry of a temporary contract.
The exchange will resume once the new contract comes into force between Guatemala's National Electrification Institute and Mexico's Federal Electricity Commission (CFE in Spanish).
The tests for electrical interconnection between Guatemala and Mexico were done yesterday with positive results.
Electrical interconnection will allow Guatemala to purchase 200 megawatts of energy from Mexico and vice versa. If necessary, Mexico could buy up to 70 megawatts from Guatemala.
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