enerbasa

Honduras will generate solar energy in 2015

Tegucigalpa, Honduras.

2015 will be historic for Honduras because in March will start the generation of photovoltaic solar energy. The company Energía  Básica, Sociedad Anónima de Capital Variable (Basic Energy, S.A.)-ENERBASA member of Grupo Lufussa (Lufussa Group), will produce 25 megawatts in the Pavana Solar photovoltaic park.

It is the first solar energy project that will join the grid of the Empresa Nacional de Energía Eléctrica-ENEE (National Electric Energy Company-ENEE). The contract was approved by the Congreso Nacional-CN (National Congress-NC) last March and its execution was scheduled for 12 months.

According to Gerardo Salgado, Planning Manager of ENEE, in the southern region of the country-Choluteca and Valle there is potential to produce 400 megawatts of solar energy and 210 megawatts in El Paraíso. In other departments, such as Yoro, the potential is lower.

Recently, the State authorities have signed 619 megawatts in solar energy contracts. Most of the projects are in final design stage and financing.

Another project of 50 megawatts is under construction in the village of Talpetate, Nacaome, according to Victor Flores, mayor of the municipality. It is developed by the firm Cohessa-Soposa.

Gerardo Salgado believes that solar energy is another option to meet the demand for medium and long term, estimated between 60 and 70 megawatts.

The generation managed to rise after the authorities of the ENEE admitted that the availability of energy had fallen to 1,250 megawatts, insufficient to cover domestic consumption, which reached 1.375 Megs.

The potential of solar energy in Honduras has attracted interest from domestic and foreign businessmen to venture into this activity, especially due to the economic incentives that have been approved by the Executive and the CN.

The 619 megawatts that would be developed should sign a buy-sale contract with the ENEE. However, there are companies that analyze their foray with the Law of the Electricity Industry, which envisages a supply and demand market, and the plants with the lowest prices will have the opportunity to sell to the ENEE.

The portfolio of solar projects amount between 20 and 25 in Choluteca, Valle and Yoro. In Marcovia, Choluteca, the company Gestamp Solar will develop a photovoltaic project with an installed capacity of 50 megawatts. In addition, companies as Solo Sol, S.A., Soluciones Energéticas, S.A., Solares del Sur, Energía Solares, Fotovoltaica Los Prados, Fotovoltaica Sureña, S.A., Generaciones Energéticas,  Los Angeles Fotovoltaica, S.A. and Renovables del Sur, S.A., began their efforts in Namasigüe.  Also, Técnicas Fotovoltaicas, S.A., Iluminando el Sur, S.A., and Fotovoltaica Nueva Concepción, S.A. in Choluteca, and Iluminado El Norte, S.A., Olanchito, Yoro.
Source: www.laprensa.hn