A solar energy generation park is to be built in the department of Jutiapa, Guatemala, which will have approximately 274 thousand panels and will be located on a 127-hectare plot of land.
According to the interactive platform "Construction in Central America" of CentralAmericaData's Business Intelligence area, Solar El Progreso S.A., submitted to the Ministry of Environment the Environmental Impact Study (EIA) to develop the project called "Solar Santo Tomas".
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.
Because both participating companies did not comply with the specifications, in Guatemala the bidders were disqualified in the photovoltaic solar energy tender.
Total Eren Guatemala, S.A. and Corporación Klondike, S.A. presented their bids in the tender for the supply of electricity generated by photovoltaic solar systems, up to a maximum of 110 MW under the BOT modality.
Because of the complaints filed in the tender to supply photovoltaic solar energy, the Public Ministry of Guatemala conducted legal proceedings in the headquarters of the Inde, which could affect the continuity of the process.
Total Eren Guatemala, S.A. and Corporación Klondike, S.A., presented their bids in Guatemala for the supply of electricity generated by photovoltaic solar systems, up to a maximum of 110 MW under the BOT modality.
On July 31, the National Institute of Electrification received bids for the public tender, which includes the installation of five solar power generators through the photovoltaic system for 110 megawatts.
In the first three months of 2019, 14 environmental impact studies were presented in the countries of the region to perform work on electricity grids and develop power generation plants.
The interactive platform "Construction in Central America", compiled by the Trade Intelligence Unit at CentralAmericaData, includes an up to date list of public and private construction projects for which environmental impact studies (EIA) were submitted to the respective institutions of each country.
Banco Agromercantil de Guatemala announced a $43 million loan for the construction of part of the 54 MW Ventus wind farm to be located in the municipality of Metapán.
During 2018, 39 environmental impact studies were presented in the countries of the region to build energy generating plants and work on electricity grids, projects estimated at $455 million.
The interactive platform "Construction in Central America", compiled by the Trade Intelligence Unit at CentralAmericaData, includes an up to date list of public and private construction projects for which environmental impact studies (EIA) were submitted to the respective institutions of each country.
With the entry into operation of the fourth phase of the Renace hydroelectric complex in Alta Verapaz, the project has reached a generation capacity of 301 MW.
Representatives of Corporación de Multiinversiones (CMI), owner of the energy project Recursos Naturales y Celulosas (Renace), explained that the fourth phase of the project began testing in September 2018 and went into commercial operation in January of this year.
In Central America and the Dominican Republic, the installed capacity of energy generation reaches nearly 20,000 MW, of which 62% correspond to clean sources.
Figures compiled by the Latin American Energy Organization (Olade) indicate that by 2017 the installed capacity of clean or renewable energy generators, including wind, hydro, solar and geothermal, exceeds non-renewable sources.
The fourth phase of the Renace hydroelectric plant in the Alta Verapaz department, Guatemala, was completed, so it will be supplying 55 MW more to the national system.
In October 2015, phase four of the Renace hydroelectric project received definitive authorization for the use of public property, such as the Canlich and Cahabón rivers for 50 years.
Lack of legal certainty, electricity theft and social conflicts are forcing businessmen in Guatemala's energy sector to choose to relocate their investments to El Salvador.
Last year, the companies Applied Energy Services (AES) and Corporación Multi Inversiones (CMI), both US and Guatemalan capital, decided to invest $47 million in solar energy projects, encouraged by the facilities offered to the energy sector in El Salvador.
Due to a group of demonstrators who have taken over the Chixoy hydroelectric facility, there is a risk that in Guatemala electricity service rates will increase by up to 10%.
Since September 25th, a group of people claiming the payment of a complementary compensation has taken over the hydroelectric plant Chixoy, one of the most important in the country, and threatens to set it on fire.
Due to social conflicts and various legal processes, 16 hydroelectric projects have been halted in Guatemala, which together amount to an investment of close to $1.5 billion.
The Association of Generators of Renewable Energy (Ager) reported that power generation projects have been suspended because of conflicts with communities in the zones, consultation processes with indigenous peoples, and orders issued by the Constitutional Court, many of which which have been in response to claims raised by environmental organizations.These projects, for which no light can yet be seen at the end of the tunnel, represent an installed capacity of 460 MW.
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.