Central America: Fuel Prices up to December 2

Monday, December 2, 2019

Price per gallon of regular gasoline: Costa Rica $4.12, Nicaragua $3.52, Honduras $3.45, El Salvador $3.07, Guatemala $3.05 and Panama $2.86.

From the Ministry of Economy of El Salvador statement:

The current reference prices present combined variation for gasoline and diesel; this trend responds to the economic conflict between the largest producer of oil and derivatives (United States) and the largest consumer of the same (China) that has extended for 16 months. The United States has scheduled for next December 15, a 15% increase in tariffs on Chinese products for a value of US$160 billion dollars, generating uncertainty in the international hydrocarbons market. Therefore, if such an increase is imposed, the demand for oil derivatives could decrease, generating an oversupply.

New Rules for Restaurants

Monday, November 25, 2019

In order for a club soda or a restaurant in Costa Rica to obtain permission to use liquefied petroleum gas, the business must comply with the regulations that have been in effect since September and must then submit to the scrutiny of a certified specialist.

The 133 requirements to be met by restaurants and club soda are contained in the "General Regulations for the Regulation of Liquefied Petroleum Gas Supply."

Central America: Fuel Prices up to November 18

Monday, November 18, 2019

Price per gallon of regular gasoline: Costa Rica $4, Nicaragua $3.56, Honduras $3.44, El Salvador $3.06, Guatemala $3.06 and Panama $2.86.

From the Ministry of Economy of El Salvador statement:

The current reference prices show their second consecutive decline in gasoline and diesel for the current fortnight, these decreases are the result of the increase in U.S.

Electric Rates: Changes in Charges Prepared

Tuesday, October 29, 2019

In Guatemala, starting in February 2020, the small and medium-sized commercial, service and industrial businesses that receive EEGSA's service will be charged new tariffs, which will vary according to the schedule in which the companies consume energy.

Production Costs and the Future of Investments

Tuesday, November 12, 2019

The high energy tariffs paid in Costa Rica compared to other countries in the region and the effects of the monopoly that exists in electricity generation are threats to the local economy and future investments.

The alarms about production costs in the country went off weeks ago, after Vicesa, a company dedicated to the manufacture of glass products, announced in mid-October the dismissal of 254 employees working at the Cartago plant. The company reported that it made the decision because of the fall in sales and the slowdown of the local economy.

Oil: Company About to Produce

Monday, November 11, 2019

Alyonca is investing $16 million in the rehabilitation of wells and is preparing to start oil production in Alta Verapaz, Guatemala.

The oil field from which the company will produce is in the Municipality of Fray Bartolome de las Casas, and the plans of the company are to attend the local industry and, in the future, make a new investment to refine the product that is extracted.

Tender for 110 MW to be Suspended

Wednesday, September 11, 2019

In Guatemala, the General Comptroller's Office recommended definitively suspending the tender to supply photovoltaic solar energy, because the audit detected weaknesses in the contracting process.

The public purchase that the Instituto Nacional de Electrificación (Inde) intended to make was full of controversy, because before the opening of the bids, criminal charges were filed against the officials who approved the bases of the bidding, arguing that there was a simulation in the contract.

Central America: Fuel Prices up to November 4

Monday, November 4, 2019

Price per gallon of regular gasoline: Costa Rica $3.86, Nicaragua $3.53, Honduras $3.41, El Salvador $3.06, Guatemala $3.05 and Panama $2.83.

From the Ministry of Economy of El Salvador:

The current reference prices are low for gasoline and diesel nationally, this responds to the latest weekly report of oil reserves provided by the IEA, which reported a 5.07-million-barrel increase, well above the forecast of experts who predicted a superficial growth of just 500 thousand barrels per week. This generates continuity of raw material for petroleum products, even though gasoline reserves decreased 3.04 million barrels and diesel 1.03 million barrels per week.

Rising Electricity Rates in Guatemala

Friday, November 1, 2019

From 1 November, EEGSA users will have a 0.4% increase in their tariff compared to the price for the third quarter of the year, and for DEOCSA and DEORSA users the increase will be 2.2% and 2%, respectively.

The tariff adjustment approved by the National Electric Energy Commission (CNEE), will be paid by users from November 1, 2019 to January 31, 2020, requires an official report.

New Sections of the Electricity Grid Coming into Operation

Tuesday, October 8, 2019

In Guatemala, the Central American Electric Carrier announced that the works it carries out in sections of the electrical network in Escuintla, Jutiapa, Chiquimula and Santa Rosa, whose global investment reaches $40 million, are about to operate.

Representatives of the company Transportista Eléctrica Centroamericana, S.A. (Trelec), affiliated to Empresa Eléctrica de Guatemala, S.A. (EEGSA), explained that the works that are part of the National Transmission Expansion Plan, such as those executed in the section that goes from Guanagazapa, Escuintla, to Pasaco, Jutiapa, have already been concluded and are in the phase of obtaining permits for connection and start operating.

110 MW Tender Process Denounced

Thursday, August 15, 2019

Arguing that there is a simulation in the contract to supply photovoltaic solar energy, in Guatemala a group of deputies criminally denounced the officials who approved the bases.

The complaint against officials of the National Institute of Electrification (Inde) that approved the bases for the tender and other processes of the tender for the purchase of solar energy for 110 MW, was filed by the bench of deputies of Encuentro por Guatemala (EG).

More Hydroelectricity Projects in Guatemala

Monday, August 17, 2009

To date, 37 hydroelectric and 2 geothermal projects have been approved, which could generate a total 1.681 MW.

In the past years there was an increase in the number of hydroelectric projects seeking authorization for operating in Guatemala, reported Carlos Colom, CNEE president.

Contract Awarded to Operate Oil Pipeline

Friday, July 26, 2019

For the second time, Perenco Guatemala Limited was awarded a 25-year contract to operate the pipeline from Campo Xan in Petén to the Piedras Negras oil terminal in Izabal.

After multiple delays were reported in the tender, the Ministry of Energy and Mines of Guatemala was able to award the new contract, which was signed on June 18 by both parties and published on July 24 in the newspaper of Central America.

Tender for 110 MW: Bids Disqualified

Wednesday, August 21, 2019

Because both participating companies did not comply with the specifications, in Guatemala the bidders were disqualified in the photovoltaic solar energy tender.

Total Eren Guatemala, S.A. and Corporación Klondike, S.A. presented their bids in the tender for the supply of electricity generated by photovoltaic solar systems, up to a maximum of 110 MW under the BOT modality.

Controversy Over Electricity Tariffs

Wednesday, July 10, 2019

In Guatemala, the distribution company Energuate appealed the resolutions of the National Commission of Electric Energy, arguing that the losses because of social conflict were not considered in the authorized tariffs for the next five years.

The controversy began after the National Commission of Electric Energy (CNEE) approved the Non-Social Tariff and Social Tariff Sheets for the 2019-2024 period, which stipulate the final prices of electric energy service for users of Distribuidora de Electricidad de Occidente S.A. -DEOCSA- and Distribuidora de Electricidad de Oriente S.A. -DEORSA-. See CNEE newsletter.