Caribbean, Central America energy watch

The Dominican Republic’s national energy commission CNE and power generator Compañía de Electricidad de San Pedro de Macorís (CESPM) have signed a definitive concession agreement.

CESPM has a project underway to convert its 300MW plant in Guayacanes, San Pedro de Macorís province, to natural gas from diesel. The work is due to be completed at year-end.

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Guatemala’s energy and mines ministry reported that results from the first phase of biofuel pilot plan movilidadVERDE reduced emissions up to 73% with the use of ecopower E5, a gasoline mix which contains 5% ethanol.

Project participants include IDB, Universidad del Valle de Guatemala, the municipality of Guatemala and renewable fuels association ACR. A presentation is available here.

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Panama’s public services regulator Asep granted Panasolar Green Energy provisional licenses for photovoltaic projects Panasolar II and Panasolar III - each 5MWn - in Cocle province. 

The company now has 12 months to secure required documents, such as environmental approval, to request the definitive licenses.

The watchdog also extended to March 4, 2021 the deadline for Hidroibérica to submit proof of environmental approval and the water use concession contract for the 6.66MW El Fraile II hydro project.

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With the participation of water sector authorities, the environment and natural resources committee of Nicaragua’s national assembly begun consultation on a new legal compendium to update and consolidate norms related to the environment and natural resources.