A Saudi delegation has made its inaugural technical visit to El Salvador to assess the progress of the Biogas Power Generation Plant project on the Acelhuate River. This visit follows the signing of an $83 million financing agreement between the Saudi Development Fund (FSD) and the Government of El Salvador last June.
Led by Abdullah Alsaif, the general manager of Credit Operations at the FSD, the delegation met with Daniel Álvarez, the president of the Executive Hydroelectric Commission of the Lempa River (CEL), which is spearheading the project. The FSD’s mission focuses on evaluating the technical and legal aspects of the financing, reinforcing the commitment to sustainable development and the support of essential sectors, such as water management.
Sultan Bin Abdulrahman Al-Almarshad, a representative of the FSD, previously emphasized that this project is a testament to the fund’s dedication to advancing sustainable development initiatives in the region. The Biogas Power Generation Plant, located in the San Salvador Centro area between Ciudad Delgado and Cuscatancingo, aims to tackle significant environmental challenges while enhancing the local energy matrix.
“This project will contribute significantly to reducing pollution in three reservoirs by treating 70% of the wastewater generated in the metropolitan area of San Salvador,” stated a representative from the FSD. The plant is expected to have an installed capacity of 5.43 megawatts (MW), integrating a mix of renewable energy sources: 1.70 MW from biogas, 0.54 MW from hydroelectric power, and 3.19 MW from photovoltaic energy.
Moreover, the project is poised to benefit approximately 1.2 million Salvadorans, marking a pivotal step towards the conservation of water resources and the diversification of the country’s energy supply.
The Government of El Salvador remains steadfast in its commitment to promoting renewable energy projects, with the Acelhuate Biogas Power Generation Plant representing a significant investment in the nation’s future. As the project progresses, it promises to create a cleaner, more sustainable environment for current and future generations.