What is El Salvador's energy sector like?

El Salvador 's energy sector is largerly focused on renewables. El Salvador is the largest producer of geothermal energy in Central America. Except for hydroelectric generation, which is almost totally owned and operated by the public company CEL (Comisión Hidroeléctrica del Río Lempa), the rest of the generation capacity is in private hands.

How does electricity work in El Salvador?

From there, the gas powers 19 internal combustion engines and waste heat feeds one steam turbine. Two 230-kV electric transmission lines, one of which connects to the Central American Electrical Interconnection System, provides added grid reliability to the region and opens further opportunities for renewable energy in El Salvador.

When did El Salvador's EDP power plant start operating?

Despite the enormous challenges, including supply-chain disruptions, travel restrictions, airport closures, global financial volatility, and Salvadoran COVID-19 mitigation measures and regulations, the power plant began commercial operation in October 2022. EDP is a transformative investment in El Salvador’s clean energy future.

How much electricity does El Salvador produce a year?

Gross electricity generation in 2006 was 5,195 GWh, of which 40% came from traditional thermal sources, 38% from hydroelectricity, 20% from geothermal sources, and 2% from biomass. In 2006, total electricity sold in El Salvador was 4,794 GWh, which corresponds to 702kWh annual per capita consumption.

How much money is invested in El Salvador?

In total, the project represents an approximately $1 billion investment in El Salvador. At least $10 million will be invested in economic and social works during the term of the power purchase agreements, strengthening local communities with a more than $500,000 investment per year.

How many transmission companies are there in El Salvador?

In El Salvador, one government-owned company, Etesal (Empresa Transmisora de El Salvador), which was constituted in 1999 after the restructuring of CEL (Comisión Ejecutiva Hidroeléctrica del Río Lempa), is responsible for the maintenance and expansion of the transmission system. In El Salvador, there are five distribution companies.