The government of El Salvador is actively considering the establishment of an offshore wind park along its coastline, as part of its ongoing commitment to renewable energy sources. Daniel Álvarez, the president of the Executive Hydroelectric Commission of the Lempa River (CEL), highlighted the state’s efforts to shift towards renewable sources for the country’s electricity supply. He proudly emphasized that El Salvador stands out, free from power outages, rationing, or surges in electricity prices experienced by other nations.
A significant milestone in this journey towards sustainable energy was the injection of 66 megawatts from the newly inaugurated 3 de Febrero Hydroelectric Plant, resulting in a remarkable 14% reduction in electricity tariffs. President Nayib Bukele announced this reduction on October 19, underscoring the government’s dedication to making electricity more affordable for Salvadoran households.
Daniel Álvarez, in a morning interview, pointed to this achievement as evidence of the government’s proactive stance in ensuring the country’s electricity generation meets current and future demands. “In El Salvador, we do not experience power outages, rationing, or price hikes. This indicates our readiness to withstand short, medium, and long-term growth in demand,” stated Álvarez.
He also highlighted studies indicating El Salvador’s ability to respond effectively to increases in national consumption. During the El Niño crisis, El Salvador stood out as the sole exporter of electrical energy while neighboring countries were grappling with closures. Álvarez explained that El Salvador only reduced its export to conserve resources and prevent price hikes for its citizens.
Currently, 80% of El Salvador’s energy matrix is covered by renewables, with 20% relying on bunker fuel. Half of this renewable energy comes from hydroelectric and geothermal sources managed by CEL. Álvarez added to this success story by announcing the imminent inauguration of the first state-owned photovoltaic park in Talnique, La Libertad, along with several other projects aimed at reducing dependency on bunker fuel.
Looking ahead, Álvarez disclosed plans for a marine wind park, stating, “We are conducting studies to create an offshore wind park because, over land, we have few winds, particularly in the highlands of Metapán. However, we see the coastline as a promising location for a wind park.”
In collaboration with the Spanish government, El Salvador is exploring the generation of electricity using ocean waves. Álvarez expressed gratitude for Spain’s support and optimism about harnessing the stable waves along the Salvadoran coast as a potent source of renewable energy.