During 2019, electricity purchase and sale transactions between Central American countries amounted to 3,074 GWh, a 14% increase compared to 2018.
Figures from the Regional Operating Entity (EOR) show that the average price recorded in regional transactions during 2018 and 2019 also increased, going from $74.05 per MWh to $90.11 per MWh.
Between 2018 and 2019 the energy generated by thermal sources in Panama grew 110%, a rise that contrasts with the 23% drop reported between 2017-2018.
The most recent data from the General Comptroller of Panama, in 2019 11,135 million kwh were generated, which is equivalent to a 3.3% increase over the 10,783 million offered in 2018.
Electricity distributor AES El Salvador announced that this year it plans to invest $36 million in modernizing the network, which includes the renovation of 8,120 residential and industrial meters.
The company's directors informed that they are contemplating works to expand the electricity distribution networks, the renovation of smart meters, the maintenance of overhead lines and the growth in the construction of underground networks.
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.
For the quarter from February to April, tariffs will remain stable because certain variables with a direct impact on generation costs do not show significant changes.
Between -0.01% and -0.03%, variations will oscillate for EEGSA, DEOCSA and DEORSA users, informed the National Commission of Electric Energy (CNEE).
Between January 15 and April 14, 2020, the electricity tariff will decrease by an average of 5% compared to the price reported in the previous quarter.
The contribution of renewable energy registered a significant increase in the system, reaching 67% of the injections in the Wholesale Market in the last quarter, while in the previous quarter it was only 46%, being this the main reason behind the reduction in the tariffs.
Due to the Empresa Nacional de Energía Eléctrica is going through a financial crisis, the Council of Ministers approved the decree authorizing the intervention of the entity.
The guarantee to intervene the company was granted by means of Executive Decree PCM-067-2019, which argues that the intervention will be made for reasons of public interest.
Arguing that there is a risk that energy transactions in the region will become more expensive, Guatemalan businessmen are asking the outgoing government to refrain from approving or signing reforms to the Central American Electricity Market Framework Treaty.
Because on January 10 the discussion is programmed within the Director Council of the Regional Electric Market of Central America (CDMER), the subscription of the Third Protocol, which would reform the Framework Treaty of the Electric Market, the private sector of Guatemala has issued an alarm before any change in the regulations, since it could cause increases in the prices of energy transactions or generate negative effects in the Guatemalan market and its interconnection with Mexico.
Between January and November, electricityconsumption reached 9,794 GWh, a 3% increase over the same period in 2018.
The report of the Wholesale Market Manager (AMM) indicates that 428 GWh were exported to Mexico and 1,521 GWh to the regional market (Mer). Sales to both destinations, in relation to last year, suffered 25.2% and 8.1% drop, respectively.
As a result of the debt that the National Electric Energy Company has with the generators, the business sector fears that in 2020 there will be rationing in the supply of electricity.
For the Honduran Council of Private Enterprise (Cohep), it urges that the Honduran government cancel the debt to the power generators, which totals about $568 million. If the obligations are not paid, severe service rationing could be reported in the middle of next year, according to productive sector forecasts.
From January to June 2019, Central American companies imported $277 million worth of electrical wires and cables, and purchases from China increased 4% over the same period in 2018.
Figures from the Trade Intelligence Unit at CentralAmericaData: [GRAFICA caption="Click to interact with graphics"]
Partly determined by the behavior of the energy supply from thermal sources, between January and October 2018 and the same period in 2019 the electricity generation in Panama grew 120%.
According to the latest report of the General Comptroller's Office of Panama, in the first ten months of 2019 9,253 million kWh were generated, which is equivalent to an increase of 3% with respect to the 8,990 million offered in the same period of 2018.
From November 20 to 22, the second edition of the Gas and Energy Summit of the Americas will be held in Panama City, where topics related to the financing of energy projects will be discussed.
The second edition of the Gas and Energy Summit of the Americas will combine conferences on strategic topics with high-level government presentations, thematic debates on innovative content, as well as discussion panels for the collective construction of solutions, led by prominent figures from the regional and global energy sector, informed the Ministry of Commerce and Industries (MICI).
español
3564