El Salvador has managed to sustain its energy capacity, meeting the demand of its citizens while also keeping the cost of this service stable, despite the energy crisis gripping Central America due to the El Niño phenomenon and the resulting rainfall scarcity.
This was highlighted by Daniel Álvarez, President of the Executive Hydroelectric Commission of the Lempa River (CEL). The official also emphasized that countries like Guatemala and Honduras are facing severe energy crises due to El Niño, but El Salvador remains steady in its energy distribution, allowing it to continue meeting the national demand.
“The El Niño phenomenon is affecting the entire Central American region, causing an energy crisis due to insufficient rainfall, not only in El Salvador but also in Guatemala, where they have larger reservoirs that have no water reserves. However, President Nayib Bukele’s economic measures were activated, and the state’s major power generators, GEO and CEL, went into action,” he commented.
“President Nayib Bukele has also made sure to guarantee the electricity supply. The Central American Games were approaching, and measures were taken to be efficient in meeting the demand within our territory. Our energy tariff is secure; we are still paying the same,” he further detailed.
Álvarez explained that they continue to work together with private companies, energy generators, and oil companies to ensure a reliable energy supply for the entire country and avoid resource shortages.
“El Salvador has always had the capacity to meet its demand. We have expanded solar parks to maintain the demand, and we have increased our renewable energy sources and other types of fuels. For example, Guatemala has installed capacity, and its electricity sector operates under a different framework than El Salvador. However, in our country, the government holds authority in the energy sector, and we are working in a coordinated manner,” he highlighted.
“Generating energy with oil is expensive. For instance, Honduras’ problem is that they have insufficient supply, leading to power cuts. In Guatemala, energy prices are higher, but in El Salvador, energy is cheaper than in the rest of Central America,” he added.
Despite the challenges posed by the El Niño-related energy crisis, El Salvador’s proactive measures and collaborative efforts have enabled the country to ensure a stable energy supply for its population. The commitment to renewable energy sources and efficient utilization of resources have contributed to maintaining a reliable and affordable energy sector.