Hydroelectric power plants in El Salvador generated 346.84 gigawatt-hours (GWh) of electricity in August, marking their highest monthly output in over two decades, according to data from the country’s energy market administrator, the Unidad de Transacciones (UT). This represents a 28.2% increase from June, with an additional 76.39 GWh of production.
This surge in hydroelectric output, the highest in 2024, has not been seen since 2002, the earliest year for which UT data is available. Hydropower is El Salvador’s largest renewable energy source, boasting an installed capacity of 638 megawatts (MW), which accounts for 21.29% of the country’s total energy capacity, including thermal power, as reported by the General Superintendence of Electricity and Telecommunications (Siget).
The hydroelectric infrastructure is managed exclusively by the state-run Comisión Ejecutiva Hidroeléctrica del Río Lempa (CEL), which oversees the operation of five power plants: Guajoyo, Cerrón Grande, 15 de Septiembre, 5 de Noviembre, and 3 de Febrero.
In August, hydroelectric power met 53.78% of the country’s energy demand, a significant recovery after nearly two years of low production caused by reduced rainfall linked to the El Niño phenomenon. This marks a dramatic rise from February 2024, when hydroelectric power only accounted for 9.30% of demand.
The cost of hydroelectric power generation is lower compared to other technologies, especially thermal power. However, it is heavily dependent on seasonal rainfall. The prolonged effects of El Niño in 2023 severely reduced water levels in reservoirs, which impacted hydroelectric production throughout the first half of 2024.
Natural gas was the second-largest contributor to the grid in August, providing 110.16 GWh and covering 17.08% of energy demand. Geothermal energy, produced by two LaGeo-operated plants, contributed 102.28 GWh, covering 15.08%, while solar power provided 51.86 GWh (8.05%). Wind energy and imports accounted for 1.53% and 1.98% of demand, respectively.
El Salvador’s total energy demand in August was 597.30 GWh, a slight 2% decline from July. The highest peak demand was recorded on August 17, when 1,192 MW were consumed at 5:30 p.m. The average price per megawatt was $92.83, the lowest since February 2023, reflecting a 10.6% drop from July’s price of $102.87.