The president of the Lempa River Hydroelectric Executive Commission (CEL), Daniel Álvarez, assured that the largest renewable energy sources in the country are hydroelectric and geothermal, which together inject 50% of electricity into the national electricity market.

Regarding hydroelectric plants, the country has energy produced by the hydroelectric plants at Guajoyo, Cerrón Grande, 5 de Noviembre, and 15 de Septiembre.

Meanwhile, on the geothermal side, the head of CEL stated that there are two plants operating in the country, the one in Ahuachapán and the one in Berlin, and experimental fields in San Vicente, Chinameca, and Conchagua.

In this regard, Álvarez pointed out that “El Salvador is one of the countries in the world with the best conditions for the use of geothermal energy”, which is why the state works to obtain the greatest possible benefit from the country’s conditions in terms of electricity generation.

He pointed out that, during previous governments, state energy companies were exploited for improper uses, but that in the administration of President Nayib Bukele, practices changed and now the state is the main generator of energy.

“Now we are betting on expansion with fields in San Vicente and Chinameca, adding 35 megawatts. In the Conchagua field, they are in the study and exploration stage », he said.

For the official, all this deployment has to do with the vision of the current administration, which unlike previous governments seeks to continue growing in this sector in particular. There are multiple ones, and the government is working to optimize them.

“We don’t make the mistakes of the past. Through international bidding, we are looking for expert companies in geothermal generation. This is for the complementary works in the plants », he said.

PROJECTS

The president of CEL also remarked that the perception of El Salvador as a generator of renewable energy has earned it the recognition of international entities such as the International Renewable Energy Agency (Irena), an instance with which it recently led the Framework, and which, in the coming months, will build a LAGEO center of excellence to strengthen geothermal operations.

In turn, Álvarez pointed out that the next step in renewable generation is to take advantage of other benefits related to this activity.

“We are aiming to venture into green hydrogen. Experts will come to the country to train technicians from CEL and LAGEO. We are going to produce hydrogen from renewable energies », he explained.