geothermal power plant projects in central america - Orkustofnun

2.2.3 HondurasThe Honduran electricity market sustains itself via the electric law approved in 1994. It promotescompetition in the wholesale market of median energy by the separation of generation, transmissionand distribution, and the supply of electricity services by private agents. However, according to theconsulting firm Pampagrass (2009), ENEE (Empresa Nacional de Energía Eléctrica) converted itselfinto the only buyer for the entire system and kept its dominating presence in the sector. Theopportunity market is very marginal even though legislation gives them options to participate;independent commercial agents and the activity of larger consumers are marginal.NET INJECTION BY SOURCE (2010)INSTALLED ELECTRICITY GENERATION CAPACITY (1990 - 2010)Thermal3,641.6 GWh54.0%Imports22.1 GWh0.3 %Hydro3,080.2 GWh45.7 %MW1,8001,6001,4001,2001,0008006004002000HydroThermal1990199520002004200520062007200820092010FIGURE 4: Honduras: Net injection by source in 2010;installed electricity generation capacity 1990-2010In 2010, the total installed capacity across all available resource types in Honduras was 1,610.4 MWand peak demand was 1,245.0 MW. Thermal had the largest installed capacity 67.3% andhydroelectric 32.7%. Figure 4 shows that, in terms of evolution, installed capacity has almost tripledin the last 20 years. Yearly demand was 6,743.9 GWh, generated from 54% thermal, 45.7% hydro and0.3% from imports. In Honduras, the largest share of net injection (59.3%) was from private hands(CEPAL, 2011).2.2.4 NicaraguaINE (Instituto Nicaragüense de Energía) is in charge of the general direction of policies concerningelectricity and is the national electricity regulator. According to Steinsdóttir and Ketilsson (2008),INE applies the policies defined by the government and is in charge of regulation and taxation. INEsupervises the price purchase agreement (PPA) between the distributor and the developer. When thedeveloper receives the exploration concession and has ascertained the base load, the developer appliesto INE for a tariff. The developer can sell excess generation on the public market.In 2010, the total installed capacity across all available resource types in Nicaragua was 1,067.6 MWand peak demand was 538.9 MW. Thermal had the largest installed capacity 76.1%, hydroelectric9.8%, geothermal 8.2% and wind 5.9%. Figure 5 shows that, in terms of evolution, installed capacityhas almost tripled in the last 20 years. Yearly demand was 3,304.7 GWh, generated from 71.9%thermal, 14.9% hydro, 8.1 % geothermal, 4.8% wind and 0.3% from imports. In Nicaragua, the largestshare of net injection (80%) was from private hands (CEPAL, 2011).2.2.5 Costa RicaPower service in Costa Rica is largely under the control of ICE (Instituto Costarricense deElectricidad) which acts as an administrator and planner of short term policies, depending on thenecessity of the electric system. ICE is the only buyer and owner of the electric transmission lines.From the capacity installed, ICE operates at 79.5% with proper plants and at 13.8% with hired plantswith independent private generators (Grupo ICE, 2009).5