The president of El Salvador’s transmission company Etesal, Edwin Núñez, announced plans to install energy storage systems at substations managed by the company. This initiative, mandated by President Nayib Bukele, aims to address energy fluctuations, particularly in solar power, which can destabilize the distribution network.
Núñez highlighted that current solutions include transformers, but the new battery installations will provide a more stable and consistent energy supply. «These storage systems will not only prevent excess energy from solar parks but also mitigate fluctuations,» he said on an interview.
Etesal, a private company with government shareholders, manages over 1,500 kilometers of network and 4,000 structures. The company is also adopting new «GIS substations» technology to minimize land use.
Núñez detailed a long-term expansion plan focusing on more than just energy transmission. Recently, Etesal inaugurated substations in several locations, including the new Morazán substation, which aims to enhance the national energy grid’s redundancy.
Additionally, two hybrid state power plants combining hydroelectric and photovoltaic energy were launched with a $1.6 million investment. Etesal reported that the country’s peak energy demand reached 1,161 MW, while the installed generation capacity is 2,600 MW, providing a buffer against regional energy issues.
In April, natural gas and geothermal energy were significant contributors to the energy mix, covering 34.3% and 17.7% of demand, respectively. Hydroelectric power provided 17.29%, biomass 12.07%, thermal energy 9.63%, solar 6.75%, and wind 1.93%.