Energy storage applications El Salvador

What is the energy supply in El Salvador?

In 2019, total energy supply in El Salvador reached around 156 600 TJ (see Figure 5). That year, the renewable energy source with the largest share as part of the primary energy supply was bioenergy (19.6%), followed by hydropower (3.5%), geothermal energy (3.4%), and solar energy (1.1%) (CNE, 2020).

Does El Salvador have a target for renewables in end-use sectors?

El Salvador does not currently have targets for renewables in end-use sectors, either. Establishing targets for renewable energy in transport, heating and cooling, agriculture and industry could contribute to a further scale-up of renewables in the country, and help achieve emissions reduction targets while creating new business opportunities.

What renewable resources are used in El Salvador?

The main renewable resources used in El Salvador for electricity generation are geothermal and hydropower. While variable renewable power is growing considerably, there is much more potential for these resources, either for electricity or direct uses.

Can public institutions support renewable projects in El Salvador?

While the low costs of finance from public institutions can certainly have a positive impact on the capital mix of renewable projects, limitations on the availability of such instruments must also take account of the volumes needed to realise El Salvador’s long-term deployment ambitions for renewables.

What are thermal power plants used for in El Salvador?

Thermal power plants are at present used as a back-up for variable renewable energy (VRE) generation. Thermal electricity production in El Salvador is, however, sometimes costlier than importing electricity within the regional market, as will be presented in the section below.

Who owns El Salvador's electricity?

CEL is an independent, public electric utility in charge of developing, conserving, managing, and using the energy resources of El Salvador. Clean energy is generated in four hydropower plants located at diferent points in the Lempa River basin. ETESAL is El Salvador’s transmission system owner.