Central America power watch: Project permitting, dispatch boost, biogas call

Panama power distributor Edechi submitted an environmental impact study to build the 230/34.5kV Veladero substation in Chiriquí province.

"In the province of Chiriquí, there is an increase in energy demand due to industrial, urban, commercial and residential growth, which is why a new electrical substation is required to maintain system reliability," the Naturgy-controlled utility said in the document filed with the environment ministry.

The infrastructure would be built on land owned by state power transmission company Etesa and take 18 months to bring online.

Dispatch boost

Honduras' state power company Enee began operations of an expansion of the substation at Siguatepeque in Comayagua department.

The 50MVA overhaul cost 92.6mn lempiras (US$3.6mn) and will benefit over 47,000 families, according to Enee.

The company also added 15MW in El Progreso, Yoro department, as part of actions to help with the country's energy crisis.

Biogas call

El Salvador's state power company CEL modified the bidding timetable for the US$98mn Acelhuate water treatment and biogas plant.

The deadline to submit offers was extended to March 26. The tender was launched in December.

The project aims to purify 70% of capital San Salvador's wastewater and the power generation component consists of 3.19MW from biogas, 1.7MW solar and 0.54MW hydro.