During the first nine months of 2020, imports of electric generators increased year-on-year in Nicaragua and Guatemala, and decreased in Costa Rica, Panama, Honduras and El Salvador.
Figures from the Trade Intelligence Unit of CentralAmericaData: [GRAFICA caption="Click to interact with the graphic"].
The reform proposal to Nicaragua's Energy Stability Law contemplates the elimination of the tax on the purchase and sale of electricity for users who generate their own energy and decide to market their surpluses.
On November 21, the Ortega administration sent to the National Assembly the initiative, which seeks to exonerate from the marketing tax, generators who sell their surplus electricity to Disnorte-Dissur.
From June 5 to 9, companies from the energy industry will be gathering together in San Pedro Sula to take part in business conferences and discuss issues that are relevant to the sector.
The initiative is being run by state entities and the private sector, and will take place between June 5 and 9 at the Convention Center of the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Cortés (CCIC) in San Pedro Sula.
In Costa Rica generators of small scale energy are complaining about a lack of key definitions in the regulations in force since April and which regulate sales of surplus energy.
How rates are set, who will buy the bidirectional meters, how records will be created to manage the repayment of the surplus and how to obtain a certificate, are some of the questions arising from the regulation on Planning, Cooperation and Access to the National Grid (POASEN).
There are dozens of large and small power generation projects in various stages of implementation that run parallel with the growth of energy demand.
The list of energy projects is led by the Chan II hydroelectric station which is expected generate 220 MW and will begin operations in 2019. It is followed by 13 independent hydroelectric projects that are already under construction and which together will add 200 MW to the system from 2014 to 2015.
A new regulation on quality of electricity includes the interconnection and operation of micro and mini generators using renewable sources for their own consumption.
It will allow users to install on their properties, wind power, biomass and / or solar equipment, in order to meet their own electricity needs and they would be able to deliver surplus production to distribution companies, to be consumed at a later date (kWh Exchange).
In El Salvador a tender is being launched for long-term contracts to supply power for 15 MW, for a period of 15 years, with generation from renewable sources.
A statement from the National Energy Council (CNE) reads:
Electricity distribution companies, together with the National Energy Council (CNE) and the Superintendency of Electricity and Telecommunications (SIGET) announced today the start of the bidding process for long-term contracts for power supply of 15 MW, for a period of 15 years, with generation from renewable sources.
From 10 to 11 October the fifth International Symposium on Energy will be held, organized by the Union of Industrialists of Panama (SIP in Spanish) and the National Energy Secretariat.
The International Symposium on Energy is being held in order to find viable solutions with low environmental impact to energy problems and encourage the exchange of ideas and experiences in a national and international forum for discussion and negotiation.
The National Energy Board of El Salvador has approved a Regulatory Framework for the Promotion of Renewable Energies.
From a press release from the Salvadoran Association of Industrialists (ASI):
In order to continue promoting power generation using renewable energy sources, the National Energy Council (CNE in Spanish) has revealed the adoption of a Regulatory Framework for the Promotion of Renewable Energy which will generate the policies and regulatory and financial measures needed to attract investment in these technologies.
Growing by 10% a year as Panama is currently doing is energy intensive, meaning that the demand for rental generators is constantly growing.
Project developers, subcontractors and promoters of artistic events require power permanently and this is where companies that rent electricity generators come in, providing a compliment to the traditional distribution system.
Cummins Power Generation Inc. is a worldwide provider of electrical generators and power generation systems, components and services in standby power, distributed power generation, as well as auxiliary power in mobile applications to meet the needs of a diversified customer base.
Organization that operates in Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Nicaragua and Panama
Phone: (1-800) 888–6626
The CNEE is hoping to generate 1,000 mW of renewable energy, with an private investment of $2 billion.
Carlos Colom, president of the National Electric Energy Commission of Guatemala, indicated that coffee farms could provide 558 mW, and the rest could be provided by the private sector, at $2 million for each mW.
Andy Burge, coffe farmer from Suchitepequez, expressed optimism for this type of investment, since it could expand the electric generation capacity of his farm to sell extra power.
Small and micro power generation plants can now connect to Guatemala's power grid and sell its energy surpluses.
With the approval of the Distributed Power Generation Rule, the National Electric Energy Commission (CNEE) looks to facilitate and promote the installation of new small and micro power generation plants. The rule allows existing plants to connect the the national power grid.