A. M. At the Latin American Geothermal Congress, held for the first time in El Salvador, the country reaffirms its regional leadership in clean and sustainable energy generation thanks to new investments in various departments, a revamped legal framework, and international financial support.
LaGeo President Mynor Gil described this moment as a historic milestone: “We are marking a before and after. Six years ago, El Salvador was ignored, and today we are a world leader, as demonstrated by this Latin American Geothermal Congress”, he said.
The new Geothermal Law, recently approved by the Legislative Assembly, opens the door to private participation under clear conditions dictated by the State. All exploitation must be authorized by legislative concession, which guarantees secure investments, both financially and legally.
As explained by the president of LaGeo, this law enables the country to grow to 500 MW of installed capacity: “With this legal basis, there is sufficient room to expand generation and attract serious investment. Our goal as a state-owned company is to add an additional 100 MW in the coming years”.
Projects in San Vicente and Chinameca
The government is promoting important developments in different departments: San Vicente already contributes 5 MW to the national distribution grid with proven resources. Chinameca is in the drilling phase, with plans to begin generating power soon.
Both projects have support from the World Bank, which, together with contributions from LaGeo, will finance exploration and drilling, despite the high cost of geothermal investment.
Stable, permanent, and national energy
Geothermal energy, with a power factor of 99%, gives El Salvador independence and stability. By not depending on oil, gas, or weather events, it becomes a reliable, competitive, and non-polluting source.
It currently contributes approximately 23% of national electricity generation. “This energy doesn’t pollute, it’s constant, and it ensures that we’re not dependent on external factors. The country needs energy 24/7, and geothermal energy makes that possible”, said the president of LaGeo, who emphasized that this resource has historically helped sustain the country in the toughest times, such as during the armed conflict.
Regional competition and success stories
El Salvador competes with Costa Rica for regional leadership in geothermal generation capacity. Currently, El Salvador produces 227 MW compared to Costa Rica’s 230 MW. Both account for between 18 and 20% of Latin America’s geothermal generation, followed by Chile (80 MW) and smaller projects in Guatemala and Honduras.
“In Ahuachapán, we have a world-renowned success story, with a geothermal field that has been in uninterrupted operation for 50 years. Few countries can sustain a resource for five decades without it being affected”, recalled the head of LaGeo.
El Salvador in the Global Spotlight
The president emphasized that the first-time holding of the Latin American Geothermal Congress in the country also represents international recognition: “Today, El Salvador is in the world’s spotlight, and we can show what we are capable of: offering clean, sustainable, and competitive energy, available 24 hours a day”.
He also said that, thanks to political stability and a strategic commitment to energy sustainability, El Salvador is poised to become an attractive destination for new investments and an international benchmark in geothermal generation.
