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.
Entrepreneurs are invited to take part in the sixth edition of ExpoEnergía, to be held from June 7 to 11 at the Convention Center in San Pedro Sula.
The Ministry of Energy, Natural Resources, Environment and Mining (My Environment) in Honduras is convening the sixth edition of ExpoEnergía, to be held from June 7 to 11 at the Convention Center in San Pedro Sula.
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.
Gator Partners has obtained a provisional license to build in Bahia Las Minas, Panama, a power plant with a capacity of 400MW, based on ethane.
Gator Partners is planning to build and operate a power plant called "Térmica Energía Corotú" which will operate using ethane gas with a combined cycle plant with a capacity of 400MW.
The project sponsor, Gator Partners LataAm SA is a public limited company established in the Township of Panama City and was registered on November 11, 2014, with the Folio No. 155 585 316. The legal representative is a Panamanian, Oguel Alejandro Suero.
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.
Hydroelectric projects and expansion of distribution networks are part of the opportunities that Colombian Power firms are looking to take advantage of in the Isthmus.
There are now three Colombian energy sector companies that have decided to venture into Central America to be part of the development of an activity that still has much room for growth in the region.
In June a new bidding process will begin to award 200 megawatts of electricity in Guatemala.
This was announced by the chief of Energy and Mines, Erick Archer during his presentation at the investment forum Investment Summit 2013.
Archila said that in 2014 another 200 megawatts will be offered, which would amount to more than a thousand megawatts tendered during this administration.
The 15-year projection is based on the objective of converting Guatemala into the main energy platform in Central America.
From a press release issued by the Ministry of Energy and Mines (MEM) of Guatemala:
During an official ceremony at the National Palace of Culture, the President Otto Perez Molina, announced the launch of the 2013-2027 Energy Policy, which will aim to ensure that 100% of new energy projects address sustainable development principles.
With the new law access will be given funding to promote technology changes that generate cost reductions and savings in energy consumption.
A statement from the Ministry of Energy and Mines reads:
MEM and CNEE drive Energy Efficiency Act project
In a workshop organized by the Ministry of Energy and Mines (MEM), and the National Energy Commission (CNEE), with support from the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB), the Economic Commission for Latin America (ECLAC) and the Latin American Electric Power Organization (OLADE) a roadmap has been established in the discussion of the Comprehensive Plan for Energy Efficiency and the Energy Efficiency Act of Guatemala.
Guatemala plans to acquire an additional 30 MW of power from its northern neighbor, which may also export to other Central American countries.
A statement from the Ministry of Energy in Mexico reads:
The Ministry of Energy in Mexico and the Ministry of Energy and Mines in the Republic of Guatemala have signed a letter of intent in which they set out, in good faith and in a non-binding way, a general framework for cooperation in the energy sector.
Duke Energy International, from the US, will build an 85 Mw carbon based, electric generation plant in Escuintla, Guatemala.
Construction works were inaugurated this Friday by the President of Guatemala, Alvaro Colom, who placed the first stone and stated that the new plant is a part of the Government's 4-year energy plan launched on January 14.
The IDB has announced that it will invest $145 million in the transmission and rehabilitation of electric plants in Central America, an operation to which Mexico and Colombia may also be added.
The program will be complemented with actions in the field of transmission, transformation and generation, in order to ensure that the greatest trust in the system in not only in its ability to provide more a great availability of energy, but also in guaranteed quality of distribution.