Nicaragua s new solar power generation system

According to the International Energy Agency, Nicaragua supplies around 60% of its total energy from renewable sources, including wind, solar and geothermal, with biomass – an often contested renewable – accounting for the largest share, at roughly 40% of total supply.

The Maribios Range is part of the Pacific “Ring of Fire” and contains several active volcanoes. The government estimates Nicaragua's geothermal potential to be 2,000 megawatts. Nicaragua's National Electric Transmission Company (Enatrel) seeks to transform the country's energy mix by focusing on renewable energy with its 2022-2037 expansion plan.

“This gives us a guarantee that the project will be carried out in the best way and will ensure its best performance.” Around 60% of Nicaragua's total energy supply is drawn from renewable sources, with biomass (41.8%) accounting for the largest share of generation as of 2022. The remaining 40% is supplied by oil imports.

A 2015 stud y by the Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean (ECLAC) said Nicaragua's energy costs suppress the competitiveness of its industries and the wellbeing of its citizens: higher rates limit access to essential services, increase production costs and hold back economic growth.

Local NGOs report that nearly 20% of Nicaragua's energy is lost due to poor connections and obsolete systems, while many informal connections drive up distribution costs. Furthermore, distributors pay the highest energy prices in Central America, an expense that is ultimately passed on to consumers.

According to the government, the San Isidro plant will comprise 112,000 solar panels. On the condition of anonymity, sources tell Dialogue Earth that a similar area of land will be used for the El Hato plant.