Difficulties in a generating plant in Costa Rica and the growing regional energy demand are some of the reasons of the increase in electricity exports from Guatemala.
Statistics by Banco de Guatemala report that between January and July of this year sales abroad of electric power amounted to $81.7 million, an amount that exceeds by 36% the $60 million registered in the first seven months of 2017.
In Panama, five companies were prequalified in the tender process to design, build and manage the fourth electric transmission line.
From a statement issued by Etesa:
Panama, September 3, 2018. Five proponents prequalified in the first phase of the process to select a contractor who will design, build and manage the Fourth Electric Transmission Line project, by complying with the necessary technical, legal and financial requirements, in the process carried out by Empresa de Transmisión Eléctrica, S.A. (ETESA) with the objective that whoever builds the project has the capabilities that the largest Central American project in its category deserves.
The electricpower generation plant based on liquefied natural gas has started operating in Colón, Panama, with an installed capacity of 381 MW.
The plant, whose construction beganin May 2016, has three generators, three gas turbines and one steam turbine, giving it a total installed capacity of 381 MW.
In Panama a project is being developed that aims to promote the use of water heaters that use solar energy, through means of international and national financing.
Local authorities reported that in order to carry out the project, the Global Environment Fund will contribute $1.9 million, and the Ministry of Environment, Panama Green Building Council, the Technological University of Panama, the UN and the General Bank will disburse another $8.1 million.
The union for the sector stated that in the next months 180 MW of wind energy and 58 MW of solar energy will become part of the country's energy matrix.
Representatives from the Dominican Electrical Industry Association (ADIE) announced that in the remainder of 2018 five projects, representing an investment of around $500 million, will start operating.
In Panama, the 18 photovoltaic generation plants that together have an installed capacity of 143 MW, are still waiting for the government to grant new contracts.
According to statistics from the National Energy Secretariat, last year the country had an installed generation capacity of 3,423 MW, of which 4% corresponded to solar energy parks.
The Inter-American Development Bank has granted a loan that will be used to finance energy efficiency projects for small and medium-sized companies.
The funds for this loan come from the Green Climate Fund (GCF) and will be executed by the Development Bank of El Salvador (BANDESAL). The objective of the financing granted is to support the efforts being made by SMEs in El Salvador to reduce electricity consumption and limit greenhouse gas emissions, reported the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB).
From January to May of this year, Guatemala exported $7 million worth of electricity to Mexico, well above the one million dollars reported during the whole of 2017.
According to data from Banco de Guatemala, during the first five months of the year the country exported $51 million worth of electricity, of which 14% was bound for Mexico.
In the Dominican Republic it has been reported that future renewable energy generation projects will be decided on by the government and then put out to tender.
Concessions for renewable energy generation projects will be carried out by means of a tender, gradually moving away from using power purchase agreements (PPA), said the Ministry of Energy and Mines (Mem).
In El Salvador, Nautilius Inkia, Nautilius Distribution and Nautilus Isthmus have been given approval to acquire the share capital of Nejapa Power Company, Cenérgica and Poliwatt Limitada.
From a statement issued by the Superintendency of Competition (SC):
Tuesday, July 10, 2018.The Board of Directors of the Superintendence of Competitionauthorized the request for economic concentration consisting of the acquisition of the share capital of Nejapa PowerCompany, S.A., Cenérgica, S.A. de C.V. and Poliwatt, Limitada, by Nautilius Inkia Holdings LLC, Nautilius Distribution Holdings LLC and Nautilius Isthmus Holdings LLC.
In El Salvador, Energía del Pacifico has announced that it has met the requirements to obtain financing, and that it will start construction of the plant in the third quarter of the year.
Panamanian authorities have declared the deadline passed for Panama NG Power to present evidence of economic backing for the construction of the 670 MW natural gas plant.
During the first four months of the year, 64% of electricity was generated from hydraulic sources, 21% from thermal, 10% from wind, 2% from solar and 2% was from self-generation.
According to the most recent figures from the Comptroller General of Panama, in April 2018, 908 million kwh were generated, equivalent to an increase of 3.3% compared to the 879 million supplied in the same month in 2017.
Explained by exports to El Salvador and Honduras, between January and March Guatemala's electricity sales totaled $31 million, 54% more than was reported in the same period in 2017.
According to figures from Banco de Guatemala, between the first quarter of 2017 and the same period in 2018, thevalue of electricity sales increased from $20 million to $31 million. In relation to the behavior of sales, records belonging to the Regional Operator confirm that since 2014 the country began its consolidation as a leader in the sale of electricity in Central America.
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