During 2020, 17 environmental impact studies were presented to carry out works in electrical networks and build power plants in different areas of Central American countries.
The interactive platform "Construction in Central America", from CentralAmericaData's Business Intelligence Unit, provides an updated list of public and private construction projects that have submitted environmental impact studies (EIA) to the respective institutions in each country.
The National Institute of Electrification of Guatemala tenders the predictive maintenance for the generators and auxiliary production equipment of the Chixoy hydroelectric plant.
Purchase by the Government of Guatemala 13458493:
"Details of the lines to be contracted:
-Line 1: Testing of 5 electrical generators
-Line 2: Testing of 6 power transformers including Bushings
Arguing that the requirements established by law to issue a license were not met, the authorities in Guatemala decided to suspend the environmental permit for the Rocja Pontila Central hydroelectric project.
In Guatemala, a group of deputies filed an unconstitutionality action against the ministerial agreement approving the Rocja Pontila hydroelectric project.
The authorization for the hydroelectric plant, owned by the Pontila Integrated Development Project and planned to be built on the Icbolay River in Alta Verapaz, was issued on January 13, 2020.
The legal appeal that the congressmen who make up the National Unity of Hope (Une) party presented to the Constitutional Court (CC), argues that Ministerial Agreement 019-2020 of the Ministry of Energy and Mines (MEM) violates seven articles of the Constitution, including 1, 3, 12, 44, 66, 97 and 154.
Because of the lack of rain, during the first half of the year Guatemala reported a 27% drop in power generation with water compared to the same period in 2018, a situation that could put even more pressure on market prices.
According to directors of the Association of Renewable Energy Generators (Ager), just in June 2019, the fall in generation by hydroelectric was 40% over the same month in 2018.
Empresa Nacional de Energía Eléctrica de Honduras tenders the supply, installation, testing and commissioning of specialized equipment for the Francisco Morazán Hydroelectric Power Plant.
Honduras Government Purchase PRRCH-61-LPI-O-:
"Supply, Installation, Testing, Commissioning and After-Sales Service of Four (4) Digital Static Excitation Systems for Synchronous Generator and (4) Excitation Transformers for the Francisco Morazán Hydroelectric Power Plant.
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 Guatemala, the upward trend shown by tariffs in 2018, because of the 10% drop in hydroelectric generation and the increase in production with coal and oil derivatives, could continue this year.
The National Commission of Electric Energy (CNEE) reported that last year energy tariffs increased between 5% and 7% in the three largest distributors: Eegsa, Deocsa and Deorsa.
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.
The National Electrification Institute of Guatemala is putting out to tender the supply and commissioning of boards in the auxiliary services distribution system of the Jurún Marinalá plant.
Guatemala Government Purchase 9035001:
"The Contractor must consider an analysis of the calculation of the different electrical circuits in order to determine the correct protection, in order to optimize the updating of the plant's distribution boards, in which intelligent link technology is implemented, to facilitate real-time monitoring of each of the main and secondary circuits of the different boards in the direct current and alternating current auxiliary servicesdistribution system in the machine house.
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.
Instituto Nacional de Electrificación is putting out to tender the supply, assembly and implementation of an automation and control system for the Aguacapa hydroelectric plant.
Guatemala Government Purchase 7598351:
"Requirements are for the supply of all automation and control equipment for the Aguacapa Hydroelectric Plant, including field instrumentation, PAC's or PLC's, HMI's, MTU, RTU's, control panels and control center support systems.
The National Electrification Institute in Guatemala (Instituto Nacional de Electrificación de Guatemala) is putting out to tender dam security tests at the Chixoy hydroelectric plant.
Guatemala Government Purchase 7531036:
"The structures that comprise the security test are the following:
The electricity rates that will apply from February 1 to April 30 are between 1.5% and 2.2% higher than those in the previous period.
The slight increase announced by the National Electricity Commission (Comisión Nacional de Energía Eléctrica or CNEE) in the tariffs corresponding to the February - April period is attributed to higher generation costs that were reported in the previous quarter.