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 constructionprojects for which environmental impact studies (EIA) were submitted to the respective institutions of each country.
Last year, 87 environmental impact studies were submitted in the countries in the region, for the construction of power generation plants and works on electricity networks.
Panama is the country in the region where the largest investment is concentrated, with an approximate $1.29 billion in energyprojects, corresponding to 32 environmental impact studies submitted to the Ministry of the Environment between January and December 2017.
From June 5 to 9, companies from the energy industry will be gathering together in San Pedro Sula to take part in business conferences and discuss issues that are relevant to the sector.
The initiative is being run by state entities and the private sector, and will take place between June 5 and 9 at the Convention Center of the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Cortés (CCIC) in San Pedro Sula.
With 19% endemic poverty, 10% open unemployment and 40% informal employment, and some of the highest electricity rates in the region, Costa Rica is opposed to $1 billion in clean energy investments.
EDITORIAL
By Jorge Cobas González
Meanwhile, the bureaucracy of state-owned companies continues to prescribe first-world remuneration, and continues to protect its privileges following ECLAC development concepts from the middle of the last century, which are utterly out of place today.Because Costa Rica does not have the investment capacity or know-how necessary for the development of latest generation renewable energy projects, even though it has all of the necessary primary conditions: sun, wind, thermal energy.
Between May 2016 and the same month in 2017, 27 environmental impact studies were presented in the countries of the region for development of energy generation projects.
The interactive platform "Construction in Central America", compiled by the Business Intelligence Unit at CentralAmericaData, includes an up to date list of public and private constructionprojects for which environmental impact studies (EIA) were submitted to the respective institutions in each country.
Of the 34,629 GWh generated in 2015 by the countries included in SICA, 68% came from hydropower, 11% from cogeneration in sugar mills, 11% was geothermal, 9% wind and 0.1% based on biogas.
From a report by Cepal entitled "Statistics of electricity production by countries in the Central American Integration System (SICA)":
The fall in oil prices has reversed the cost equation which previously favored investment in renewable energy.
EDITORIAL
The effect of the price of a barrel of oil falling below $50 is now being felt in the decisions which must be taken by energy buyers and regulatory officials in the electricity markets.
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). He said that in addition to studying investment opportunities in this sector in the nations of the region, Guatemala is seek to reaffirm its leadership position in Central America.
Although the installed capacity is currently small, strong growth is projected in the region as a result of tenders with prices that favor large-scale projects.
A report by IHS Technology predicts rapid growth of photovoltaic capacity in Central America, which will supposedly reach 22 megawatts in 2018.
On August 20th and 21st energy companies in the sector in Latin America will meet in Managua to discuss issues related to energy management in the countries of the continent.
The Latin American Energy Organization and the Ministry of Energy and Mines of Nicaragua are organizing the event, to be held on 20th and 21st August in Managua.
The regional electricity market, renewable energy and energy efficiency will be the topics addressed at the event to be held on 27, 28 and 29 August in San Salvador.
The European Investment Bank will support investment in hydropower, wind, geothermal and photovoltaic systems in Central America.
The program is being conducted in partnership with the Central American Bank for Economic Integration (BCIE) and seeks to free up more than $500 million for investments in public and private projects using clean energy in Honduras, Nicaragua, El Salvador, Guatemala, Costa Rica and Panama.
El Salvador announced a renewable energy investment plan which will increase the share of this type of power to 70% of the energy matrix.
The President of the Executive Hydroelectric Commission of the Lempa River (CEL), Leopoldo Samour, explained that "this will increase energy production by approximately 300 megawatts, coming from use of our natural resources and in order to do this we are planning a global investment of $916 million. "
Nicaragua alone has geothermal potential of 2000 MW , and the region as a whole has total exploitable potential of 5000 MW.
The Geothermal Regional Training Center, based in El Salvador, is promoted by the German Agency for International Cooperation (GIZ) and has the cooperation of the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB). The entity was created under the framework of the Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency Program in Central America(4E).