52% of the electricity consumed in Nicaragua comes from renewable sources
Francisco Rojas
19 Sep 2013
52% of the electricity consumed Nicaragua this year has come from renewable sources, being 18% of these geothermal
It is quite remarkable to note that Nicaragua has set a target for 2017, 90 % of its electricity will comes from renewable sources. Geothermal plays a key role since it is being planned to recover the 70 MW plant in Momotombo and recently, the Ministry of Energy and Mines of Nicaragua is seeking funding to study the feasibility of at least 10 areas that would make renewable geothermal the key to achieving this goal.
“So far this year, we have achieved a consumption of 52 % renewable energy, and we could be ending the year around 51 %” said Nicaraguan Minister of Energy, Emilio Rappaccioli.
The total renewable energy consumed Nicaragua is divided as follows: 18% comes from wind power , geothermal 18% , 8 % hydro and 8 % biomass, as stated by the Minister as part of the second edition of the Renewable Energy Week .
If this trend continues, 2013 would be the second consecutive year that Nicaragua consumes more electricity from renewable sources than those produced by oil, according to official data .
Currently, this Central American country consumes an average of 500 megawatts.
Achieving the 90% renewable goal will depend, on the completion construction of the Tumarín hydroelectric plant , with a capacity planned at 253 megawatts.
The Government also expects to be ready by 2017 with the Alba Vientos projects, with 44 megawatts of wind power, Casitas-San Cristobal with 35 megawatts of geothermal and Larreynaga with 17 megawatts of hydropower.
According to the latest Climascopio report released in 2012, Nicaragua is the second country in Latin America more attractive for investments in renewable energy, leaded only by Brazil.
The MEM announced earlier this year that investment in renewable energy could reach $ 300 million in 2013.
