Due to the drop in economic activity generated by the covid-19 crisis, a 7.9% reduction in domestic electricity consumption was reported in the region between March and June 2020, when compared to the levels of the same period in 2019.
Regarding the reduction of internal consumption of electricity in the countries from March to June 2020, we have that Guatemala had a drop in its demand of 239 GWh (Gigawatt hours), which corresponds to 6.6% compared to the consumption of electricity in 2019, in the case of El Salvador with a reduction of 335 GWh, equivalent to 15.4%, says a report from the Regional Operating Agency (EOR).
In the context of the health crisis and home quarantine, the average daily consumption in the country is about 18 GWh, which is 25% less than that reported prior to the outbreak of the virus.
Data from the Transaction Unit (TU) indicate that between the levels reported in February and the demand registered from March 23 to April 3, consumption has fallen from 19.6 GWh to 15 GWh on average.
If the quarantine and mobility restriction measures are extended by two months, it is forecast that by the end of the year the annualized demand for electricity generation, transmission and distribution in Central America will have fallen by 4%.
The "Information System for the Impact Analysis of Covid-19 on Business", prepared by the Trade Intelligence Unit of CentralAmericaData, measures the degree of impact that the crisis will have on companies according to their sector or economic activity, considering various scenarios for the coming months.
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.
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.
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.
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.
The Capella Solar wind power plant, being built by Neoen in El Salvador, is 90% complete and is scheduled to begin operations in April 2020.
From Neoen's statement:
December 23rd, 2019. Neoen, a world leader in renewable energy and long-term investor in El Salvador, closes 2019 by developing the final phase of construction of its second photovoltaic project in the country, called Capella Solar.
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).
The Salvadoran government is preparing to begin the tender process in 2020 to build a new photovoltaic plant in Usulután, which will have a capacity of 20 MW and will require an investment of approximately $19 million.
The project of the new solar power plant is contemplated in the General Budget of the Nation of 2020, therefore, if approved by the Legislative Assembly, the Executive Hydroelectric Commission of the Lempa River (CEL) will initiate the public tender next year.
Between October 15, 2019 and January 14, 2020, the electricity tariff will decrease 5% on average with respect to the price reported in the previous quarter.
The new average price per MW hour (MWh) is $134.95, which is 5.16% lower than the one reported last quarter when it reached $143.84 MWh, informed the General Superintendence of Electricity and Telecommunications (SIGET).
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 constructionprojects for which environmental impact studies (EIA) were submitted to the respective institutions of each country.
About $200 million is estimated to be invested in improvements to the Central American network, both nationally and regionally, to avoid the recurrence of service interruptions that occurred days ago.
On September 16, a power failure in Honduras caused the interruption of the service of approximately 40% of the area that make up the Central American countries that are interconnected.
Electricity generators claim that the Regional Operator Entity arbitrarily disconnects Guatemala from the rest of the countries in the region, and that since 2016 up to date the disconnections already add up to 600 hours.
The National Association of Generators of Guatemala (ANG) claims that the Regional Electricity Interconnection Commission (CRIE) does not comply with the resolutions of the Central American Court of Justice (CCJ), which ordered Guatemala to stop disconnections from the regional electricity system.
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