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From there, the gas powers 19 internal combustion engines and waste heat feeds one steam turbine. Two 230-kV electric transmission lines, one of which connects to the Central American Electrical Interconnection System, provides added grid reliability to the region and opens further opportunities for renewable energy in El Salvador.
El Salvador currently imports about one-quarter of the country's total electricity, making it the largest importer of electricity in Central America. Government officials have said the heavy reliance on imported power creates energy security risks, along with providing an economic challenge.
How does EDP work in El Salvador?
By shifting a significant amount of power supply to natural gas, EDP reduces El Salvador's reliance on diesel and heavy fuel oil-fired power generation, offsetting 600,000 tons of carbon dioxide emissions per year, and provides grid support to facilitate more renewable energy penetration, further diversifying the country's energy mix.
The power project, which began taking shape in 2013, is important for El Salvador because it offers cleaner energy production, replacing heavy fuel oil for power generation while offering flexibility the country needs to support the addition of more renewable energy resources to the national power grid.
Does El Salvador need a generator?
As the smallest country in Central America, El Salvador relies heavily on imported Heavy Fuel Oil-fired generators for its dispatched power. Our Project is expected to be the lowest cost thermal generator in the country, and it aims to supply 30% of the county's total demand and significantly reduces its energy imports from 25% to about 5% in 2023.
In total, the project represents an approximately $1 billion investment in El Salvador. At least $10 million will be invested in economic and social works during the term of the power purchase agreements, strengthening local communities with a more than $500,000 investment per year.