Studies underway for Nicaragua wind project

Nicaragua’s Estelí department has been targeted for the potential construction of a 55.2MW wind farm, according to energy and mines minister Salvador Mansell.

Studies have begun for the El Barro project, which would cost an estimated US$71.9mn and boast 16 turbines, an update from state power transmission company Enatrel quoted Mansell as saying.

Additional details were not disclosed.

On the solar front, the minister said the El Jaguar solar park will soon come online, and that a 14MW plant also is expected to begin operations in 2024, both in Malpaisillo, León department, and that studies have been completed for a 50MW project in Ciudad Darío, El Hato department.

BNamericas previously reported that Central American power interconnection commission CRIE authorized Interamerican Solar’s 16MW El Jaguar and Nordic Solar’s 14MW San Isidro projects to access the regional transmission network.

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Honduras energy secretary (SEN) and head of state power company Enee, Erick Tejada, announced plans to begin construction of hydro projects Patuca 2 (270MW) and Los Llanitos and Jicatuyo (290MW) in 2025.

In a SEN release, Tejada said the government is working with consultants such as Lombardi and IDB to advance feasibility studies and financing, respectively.

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Panama’s state power transmission company Etesa launched bidding to install a second transformer at the San Bartolo substation (US$8.57mn) and replace switches at the Chorrera substation (US$4.71mn).

And Etesa awarded an US$8mn contract to Celmec to overhaul the Veladero and Llano Sánchez substations.