In El Salvador, the initial plan was that the new Energia del Pacifico power plant would begin operations in early 2022; however, it is currently projected to begin operations until July 1 of next year.
The project located in the Acajutla port area, which will have an installed capacity of 378 megawatts and began construction in 2015, will be delayed a few months.
During 2019, 80 environmental impact studies were presented to carry out work on electrical networks and to build energy generation plants in different areas of Central American countries.
The interactive platform "Construction in Central America", of the Trade Intelligence Unit of CentralAmericaData, includes an updated list of public and private construction projects that present environmental impact studies (EIS) to the respective institutions in each country.
From January to June 2019, 52 environmental impact studies were presented to carry out works on electricity networks and build power generation plants in different areas of Central American countries.
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 construction projects for which environmental impact studies (EIA) were submitted to the respective institutions of each country.
The state-owned company LaGeo plans to invest in its geothermal fields in Chinameca and San Vicente to increase its generation capacity to an additional 80 megawatts.
In order to finance the works, the public company LaGeo, a subsidiary of the Lempa River Hydroelectric Executive Commission (CEL Group), is negotiating a $232 million loan with the World Bank.
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.
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.
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 energy projects, 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.
In 2016, the average cost of 1 kWh in Central America was 13.48 cents, while in Costa Rica, it was 18.47 cents.
A report from the CEPAL indicates that in 2016, the average cost of one kilowatt hour (kWh) in Central America was 13.48 cents, while in Costa Rica it was 18.47 cents; 37% more for industrial consumption of 100,000 kWh.In El Salvador and Guatemala, it was 11.03 and 11.54 cents respectively. In Panama, 10.92 cents.
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 construction projects for which environmental impact studies (EIA) were submitted to the respective institutions in each country.
Concessions for the exploitation of hydraulic and geothermal resources will be granted for a maximum term of 30 years and not permanently.
From a statement issued by the Legislative Assembly of El Salvador:
With 58 votes, parcial approval was given to the Ad Hoc Committee established to study the implications of the judgments of the Constitutional Chamber of the Supreme Court on the unconstitutionality of some articles in the General Electricity Law and its regulations and the Telecommunications Act.
Through the company LaGeo the government has announced that $250 million is needed to start exploration in new areas and to change a geothermal turbine plant in Berlin.
Authorities at the HEPP Executive Commission of the Lempa River (CEL Group) explained that they have made closer ties with institutions such as the World Bank and the CABEI in order to negotiate possible financing.
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)":
Despite the agreement signed last December, authorities from the CEL say it reserves the right to activate in civil courts processes to collect compensation for alleged damages.
After ten years of international litigation by the Italian company ENEL for control of the geothermal station Enel Green Power El Salvador, where the Salvadoran State had everything to lose, in December 2014 an agreement was signed at the International Centre for Settlement of Investment Disputes (ICSID) which stated in Article 3 that: "The parties (the Salvadoran State and Enel) have agreed as a condition non precedent of the effects of the Framework Agreement, the final and irrevocable extinction of the civil action of the crime involving Enel Green Power (EGP) and Enel Green Power in El Salvador criminal proceedings number 171-A-2-13 in the Seventh Court of Peace and 133-2013-12 in the Seventh Court of Instruction, both of San Salvador, that will be extended to all natural persons who are accused of crimes in the same instance ... ".