The Salvadoran government, under the leadership of President Nayib Bukele, continues to execute renewable energy projects aimed at benefiting millions of Salvadorans. Recently, the President of the Executive Hydroelectric Commission of the Lempa River (CEL), Daniel Álvarez, announced that they will construct a photovoltaic plant at the 15 de Septiembre Hydroelectric Plant.

According to the official, the plant will be built on CEL land, specifically on the grounds of the hydroelectric plant. With the photovoltaic project, which would be the second executed by the Bukele administration, they aim to generate around 20 megawatts (MW) installed with solar panels.

The official assured that they are currently analyzing the financing of the photovoltaic project. “We already have the feasibility, we have everything to start the project. [Currently] we are looking for financing so that construction can begin in the coming months,” he reaffirmed.

According to the database of the General Directorate of Energy, Hydrocarbons, and Mines (DGEHM), as of the end of March, solar generation represented 6.91% in the national electricity matrix. Additionally, last year, this type of energy increased by 7.62%.

In November 2022, CEL, together with Energy Investments (INE), began the construction of the Talnique Solar photovoltaic plant, the first plant of the Salvadoran State to generate electricity from the sun’s radiation.

Talnique Solar will have an installed capacity of 17 megawatts thanks to the 29,600 bifacial solar panels placed on a 19-acre plot of land. This project aims to generate renewable energy for 25,000 Salvadoran households that consume an average of 100 kWh.

Álvarez indicated that Talnique Solar is being executed with a total investment of $20 million, and the plant is expected to be fully operational by December 2023.

Furthermore, the President of CEL assured that currently, photovoltaic energy is one of the main sectors attracting investments in the country.