CNE aims for 71% power coverage by 2013

Nicaragua's rural electricity coverage is 55.2%, below the average of its Central American neighbors, but the country's energy commission (CNE) plans to invest in the sector so that 71.2% of the country has power by 2013, CNE said in a statement. CNE is currently developing the US$2.8mn, Boaco-Chontales project, which will extend service by a total of 377km over the project's two phases, and will bring electricity to 11,000 people in the area. Both phases are to be completed by June 2005. The Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) is financing 90% of the project's first stage, which is being built by local consortium Sinter-EDC. The government is funding the remaining 10%. CNE is contemplating extending the project to include a third phase but has not yet secured financing, the statement said.