Blog 9 - Alternative Energy in Central America

Several Countries in Central America are focusing on switching their energy sources to alternative outlets.  This move was initially brought on by the skyrocketing oil and gas prices that are now at about $5 per gallon.  The region has potential in hydroelectricity, wind power, as well as geothermal energy.  The Central American Electrical Interconnection System (SIEPAC) will be putting up 1,800 kilometers of 230-kilovolt-transmission lines form Guatemala to Panama later this year and it will take the areas energy capacity to three times what it is now.  Many countries see these renewable energies as a much more attractive approach because while their start-up cost may be high their environmental impact and consumer prices are quite low. 

Costa Rica is building the largest hydroelectric dam in the country while Honduras is working on a wind park in Cerro de Hula.  According to Roberto Levia of the Honduras Business Council for Sustainable Development (BCSD-Honduras) several hydroelectric plants are under construction or in the process of being approved in Honduras.  They also have a wind parks and 2 geothermal facilities in talks.  Panama, Nicaragua, El Salvador and Guatemala also have projects for solar, wind, geothermal and hydroelectric power. 

Oswaldo Garcia of Guatemalan Ministry of Energy and Mines says that “the trend is to use more renewable energy” not only because of high gas prices but also because they want to avoid disaster like that of the Fukushima nuclear power plant in Japan.  They are also feeling international pressure to become more environmentally friendly to avoid accelerating climate change.

This article was really interesting to read because it shows how much change can come about if countries work together.  Seeing how a majority of Central America is working towards becoming more dependent on renewable energy sources suggests a healthier and more efficient future and even taking climate change into account.  It is also notable that Vazquez expressed that even though it may seem more expensive at first, it is more affordable and environmentally friendly in the long run.  This is a view that is hard to establish in the political leaders in many other areas. People in power coming to this realization, and pushing it, is definitely an important step.  I would like to learn more about the specific plans that these countries are putting into place and if other countries that are lagging will attempt to catch up.

http://www.aljazeera.com/indepth/features/2011/04/2011421115135889807.html