Kimberly Clark is investing $12.5 million in the construction of a biomass boiler and $22.2 million in a cogeneration power plant at its production plant in San Juan Opico.
The two power plants will have capacity to produce 14 MW, energy which will be used for the production plant which the multinational operates in Sitio del Niño, San Juan Opico.
It has been estimated that in the next six years more than 900 MW of additional power will be generated from renewable sources.
A study produced in conjunction with American Cooperation Agency (USAID) revealed that "... from this year until 2021 it is expected that generation capacity will grow by 145.7 MW in energ from hydropower sources, by 102 MW from geothermal sources and 380 MW using natural gas.
It has been announced that by the end of the year the specifications to tender the supply of 150 MW in renewable energy will be ready.
From a statement issued by the Agency for Export and Investment Promotion of El Salvador (PROESA):
The Export and Investment Promotion Agency of El Salvador (PROESA) chaired the announcement by the National Energy Council (CNE) that a new bidding process will be started for the procurement of 150 Megawatts (MW) of power focusing on projects based on unconventional renewable sources and exclusive participation in the wholesale market.
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.
It has been announced that thirty companies, including Enel Green Power, have expressed interest in participating in the tender to supply natural gas, valued at $800 million.
From a statement issued by the Presidency of El Salvador:
About 30 companies are interested in participating in the tender to find a supplier of gas for power generation in the investment project run by the company Energías del Pacífico, to produce more than 350 megawatts of power, said the Technical and Planning Secretary of the Presidency of the Republic, Roberto Lorenzana.
Producers of sugarcane in El Salvador have proposed amending the regulations so that they can receive part of the revenue generated by the mills from the sale of surplus energy produced.
The union of producers stated that the practice of producers receiving revenues generated by the mills from energy production using sugarcane is very common in other countries.
Companies in the sector will discuss the state of the regional electricity market, and power and energy management, from August 19 to 21 in San Salvador.
From a statement issued by the Salvadoran Association of Industrialists (ASI):
ASI to hold second regional congress on energy
Under the theme: "Energy: Essential for Sustainable Development and Regional Competition", the Salvadoran Association of Industrialists, ASI, is preparing the second Regional Congress on Energy, on 19, 20 and August 21 to be held in the Sheraton Hotel in San Salvador.
Actis and Mesoamerica have agreed to sell SunEdison 100% of its interest in Globeleq Mesoamerica Energy, which operates in the area of renewable energy plants.
From a statement issued by Globeleq Mesoamerica Energy:
Actis and Mesoamerica, investment and consultancy firms based in Costa Rica and Colombia have agreed to sell 100% of their combined interest in Globeleq Mesoamerica Energy (GME), a leader in the business of wind energy and solar energy in Central America, to SundEdison. SunEdison is the largest developer of renewable energy in the world.
The government has announced plans to increase geothermal generation by 15% with the opening of two new wells, and will seek more investment in the sector.
With a current supply of 204,44 MW generated from geothermal power, the government will be seeking to exploit the potential offered by this source of energy and reach 791 MW. Both wells have depths of 2000 meters, and are located in the city of Chinameca and in the foothills of the San Vicente volcano.
An announcement has been made that the German government will have a credit line of $113 million available to fund geothermal projects in Central America.
The announcement was made by the German ambassador to Nicaragua, Karl-Otto König, who said in an article on Elnuevodiario.com.ni that "...Central America is a region with 'considerable potential' for generating thermal energy which comes from the ground or from volcanoes. "
From April 15th to July 14th the average electricity tariff will be reduced by 20% due to the drop in oil prices and the diversification of the energy matrix.
From a statement issued by the Superintendency of Electricity and Telecommunications (Siget):
The Superintendency of Electricity and Telecommunications (SIGET) wishes to make known to the Salvadoran population that once again an important and significant reduction was recorded in the prices of electricity corresponding to the adjustment of electricity tariff schedule, which will apply from Wednesday April 15, 2015 and will be in effect until July 14 this year.
The contest announced for the first quarter for the supply of 100 MW of clean energy has been canceled until the need for the recruitment has been defined.
Due to the fact that studies are still being conducted to determine the technical feasibility of the purchase of power generated exclusively from renewable resources and that there is currently a tender underway for traditional energy, the Superintendency of Electricity and Telecommunications has decided to suspend it until there is a clearer diagnosis of the energy needs.
Small investors have bought $15 million in shares ranging from $1,000 to $20,000, from a trust that will finance a wind project in Uruguay. Another $62 million will be offered to institutional investors.
EDITORIAL
The offer received in the Uruguayan Securities Exchange from small investors reached $100 million, a clear sign of the high interest in the prospective investment which has a mitigated risk as it is a project by a strong state run enterprise, with a return almost assured, estimated at about 11.5% a year, in the 20 years which is the term of the share certificate.
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. The thing is that -suddenly - electricity produced using hydrocarbons may cost less than energy from solar power, and even hydroelectricity.
The mill El Angel plans to expand its bagasse power generation plants in order to increase production from 25 MW to 50 MW starting from September 2015.
It is expected that 2015 will see the completion of the fourth phase of the power generation project, which will double the amount of megawatts generated using bagasse. At present 25 megawatts of power are generated, of which only 10.5% are used in the company and the rest is fed into the national grid.