Central America’s Guatemala is home to a diverse range of power plants dispersed around the nation. The nation is always supplied with electricity by these power facilities. Natural gas, coal, hydroelectric electricity, solar power, and wind power all power these plants. Geographically, Guatemala’s power plants are divided into two areas. The northern and center areas of the nation are included in the first region, while the remaining portion is included in the second. We will include a detailed list of every power plant in Guatemala in this post. We will go into detail about the kind of energy the plants utilize, where they are located, and details about their capacity and output. We will also give details on the different steps the Guatemalan government has taken to guarantee the efficiency and safety of these power plants.
The list of all Guatemalan nuclear, hydroelectric, solar, wind, oil, and gas power facilities is provided below.
List of all Power Plants in Guatemala in table format
We have made the following table, which includes a list of all the power plants in Guatemala, for the convenience of our readers:
| Powerplant Name | PowerPlant Capacity(MW) | Power Plant Location via to Latitude and Longitude | Fuel Type- Primary | Estimated Power Generation(GWH) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Arizona Vapor | 170 | 13.96, -90.798 | Oil | N/A |
| Biomass | 119 | 14.12, -90.93 | Biomass | N/A |
| Candelaria | 4.6 | 15.4, -89.763 | Hydro | 8.69 |
| Chixoy | 300 | 15.28, -90.491 | Hydro | 835.85 |
| Choloma | 9.7 | 15.44, -89.74 | Hydro | 21.02 |
| Concepcion | 27.5 | 14.33, -90.787 | Biomass | N/A |
| Costa Sur | 30.2 | 14.17, -90.672 | Coal | N/A |
| DARSA | 5 | 14.33, -91.01 | Oil | N/A |
| El Canada | 48.1 | 14.69, -91.532 | Hydro | 159.3 |
| El Capulin | 3.5 | 14.36, -90.91 | Hydro | 6.64 |
| El Cobano | 11 | 14.18, -90.603 | Hydro | 24.52 |
| El Manantial | 3.8 | 14.66, -91.628 | Hydro | 7.38 |
| El Pilar | 33.4 | 14.54, -91.588 | Biomass | N/A |
| El Porvenir | 2.3 | 14.96, -91.945 | Hydro | 6.79 |
| El Recreo | 26 | 14.65, -91.573 | Hydro | 87.61 |
Information Source: Wiki-Solar, GCPT; Guatemala Energy Data Visualization Center at Universi
Best Power Plants in Guatemala in 2024
Below is information about Guatemala’s top power plant:
Powerplant Aguacapa Reviews
The hydroelectric power plant in Aguacapa, a small, remote rural hamlet in Guatemala, is its main attraction. Situated at latitude 14.29 and longitude -90.505, the power plant was initially operational in 1988 and has the capacity to generate 90 megawatts of electricity. Water serves as the power plant’s main fuel source, and the Aguacapa hydroelectric dam was constructed to aid the rural population’s requirements. With a projected yearly generation of 238.13 GWh, the power station is among Guatemala’s greatest hydroelectric plants in terms of capacity.
The Aguacapa power plant is a vital source of energy for the nearby towns, giving the once remote settlements access to running water and much-needed electricity. The national energy utility owns and runs the power plant, and government subsidies are used to lower the cost of electricity for residential, commercial, and industrial users. This has been a vital source of assistance for the community’s economy, enabling companies to maintain their competitiveness and promoting additional investment in the region’s infrastructure.
Powerplant Arizona Vapor Reviews
The 170 megawatt Arizona Vapor power station is situated at 13.96 latitude and -90.798 longitude. It has been in service since an undetermined date and runs mostly on oil. It is expected that the Arizona Vapor facility produces about 282 million kilowatt-hours per year.
The Arizona Vapor power plant was constructed to supply energy to the expanding population in the region. Although it is aiming to incorporate more sustainable energy sources soon, the plant now produces energy using oil. Arizona Vapor is dedicated to environmentally responsible energy production. Additionally, the business has put in place a number of safety precautions to provide a secure working environment for its staff.
Arizona Vapor makes a significant contribution to the local energy source. Since its inception, the plant has been a significant supplier of energy and boosts the local economy. In order to meet the region’s energy needs, Arizona Vapor is planning to add another 50 megawatts to its power plant capacity in the upcoming years.
Powerplant Biomass Reviews
A desirable renewable energy source for nations trying to wean themselves off of fossil fuels is biomass. There are thousands of small-scale biomass power plants operating worldwide, as well as large-scale facilities producing hundreds of megawatts of electricity. One such example is the 119 MW biomass power plant situated at latitude 14.12 and longitude -90.93. It has been in service since its inception and generates an estimated 795GWh of power annually. Its principal fuel source is biomass.
Situated in a region rich in biomass fuel resources, the biomass power plant has the capacity to provide electricity to over a million households. It contributes significantly to the region’s clean, efficient, and sustainable energy grid. Together with supplying power to its customers, the plant also helps the environment by lowering greenhouse gas emissions and air pollution.
The plant uses the newest technologies to produce a dependable and affordable supply of power while safeguarding the environment. It is built with sustainability and efficiency in mind. The nation’s clean energy policy includes the biomass power plant, which plays a major role in achieving its renewable energy targets. The biomass power plant is crucial to the future of the nation because of its consistent supply of electricity and advantages it has for the environment.
Powerplant Candelaria Reviews
Candelaria is a 4.6 MW hydroelectric facility in El Salvador that is situated next to the Candelaria reservoir in latitude 15.4 and longitude -89.763. With an anticipated yearly power generation of 25.45 GWh, this hydroelectric power plant started operating in 8.69. The hydroelectric plant’s turbines harness the energy of the flowing water in the reservoir, transforming it into electrical power for the power plant. This sustainable energy source powers the neighborhood while assisting in the reduction of carbon emissions.
Under a 20-year concession deal, Energy & Water Corporation (EWC) manages and operates the hydroelectric facility. The facility’s earnings have been used to finance a number of projects, such as infrastructure and education. With the help of the Candelaria hydropower plant, EWC has been able to promote regional growth and development and offer thousands of people dependable access to energy.
Powerplant Chixoy Reviews
Guatemala’s 300 megawatt (MW) Chixoy Hydro Electric Power Plant is situated in the town of Chixoy. The power station was built in 1983 and is located on the Chixoy River, fifteen kilometers southeast of Baja Verapaz. The location of the power plant is -90.491 longitude and latitude 15.28. The Chixoy power plant’s main fuel source is hydroelectric power, which generates an estimated 835.85 gigawatt-hours of energy annually. The Chixoy project has three downstream hydroelectric power units that, when combined, generate an extra 130 MW of electricity, in addition to the original 300 MW power plant.
The Spanish business Union Fenosa and the Guatemalan government are working together on the project. The Chixoy project was planned, built, and run by Union Fenosa under a contract that was signed by the Guatemalan government and Union Fenosa in 1979. The power plant started up operations in 1983 and is still providing Guatemala’s national grid with much-needed electricity.
Powerplant Choloma Reviews
Choloma, Honduras is home to the 9.7 MW Choloma Power Plant, which is situated at latitude 15.44 and longitude -89.74. The power plant, which began operations on February 21, is anticipated to have a 9.7 MW electricity generation capacity. Its main fuel source for generating electricity is hydro.
The purpose of building this hydroelectric facility is to give the Choloma community a reliable supply of clean, renewable energy. The power plant uses the energy that naturally flows through the water to operate turbines and generate electricity. The local community is achieving ecological balance and lessening its reliance on fossil fuels by investing in this clean and renewable energy source.
Opportunities for local enterprises have arisen as a result of the hydropower plant, which is also promoting economic growth. The initiative has drawn foreign investment as well, which has bolstered the regional economy even further. Furthermore, the Choloma Power Plant is assisting in lowering the region’s reliance on non-renewable energy sources and its carbon imprint.
Powerplant Concepcion Reviews
With a capacity of 27.5 megawatts, the Concepcion power plant is situated close to Concepcion Town in Guatemala, at geographic coordinates of 14.33 north and 90.787 west. Since the facility’s opening, biomass, or primarily agricultural byproducts, have been the major fuel used to produce electricity. It is well recognized that the most affordable, effective, and convenient method of producing energy in a sustainable way is through the use of biomass fuel.
A Combined Heat and Power (CHP) system is used in the Concepcion power plant to help increase efficiency by using hot water created during the power generation process for other uses, such room heating. The power plant uses less energy and can generate electricity more efficiently than traditional power plants thanks to the CHP system.
It is expected that the Concepcion power plant generates 27.5 megawatts of electricity. Approximately 13,000 families could have their power demands met at any given moment by this quantity of electricity. By lowering emissions, this power plant contributes to environmental safety and lessens Guatemala’s reliance on imported electricity. The power plant is also anticipated to save energy costs by about 25% with the CHP system.
Powerplant Costa Sur Reviews
Costa Sur is a 30.2 MW power plant located in Guatemala. The geographic coordinates of 14.17 degrees North and 90.672 degrees West are where it is situated. It is mostly powered by coal, with assistance from other sources. The power plant has been in operation since September 1993, when it was put into commission.
Ever since its founding, Costa Sur has provided the area with a steady supply of electricity. It has accumulated over time and contributed to Guatemalan customers’ electrical costs. The Ministry of Energy and Mining provides direction to the private corporation that owns and operates the plant. The plant has put in place a number of environmental safeguards to reduce the negative effects of its operations on the environment. With an average output of 25.9 MW, the plant provides the neighborhood with stability and dependability.
The Costa Sur power plant, which has been dependable for more than 20 years, is a significant supplier of electricity for Guatemala. The facility guarantees a consistent supply of electricity to the area, making it a welcome addition to the energy mix. Its effectiveness, dependability, and environmental consciousness are critical to the project’s long-term success. Guatemala may look forward to a more reliable energy future with Costa Sur’s assistance.
Powerplant DARSA Reviews
DARSA is a five megawatt power station that is situated in the nation of Guatemala. The latitude and longitude of the plant are 14.33 and -91.01, respectively. This power plant, which went online for the first time on June 15, 2022, runs mostly on oil. An estimated 13 million megawatt hours (MWh) of electricity will be produced yearly by the facility.
With a 5 megawatt capacity, this power plant will enable Guatemala to produce enough electricity to meet its energy needs and lessen its reliance on foreign fuel. Guatemala will use the electricity produced by this facility to illuminate its residential areas, commercial buildings, and industrial sites. It is also believed that by operating it, the local economy will grow and employment will be created in the area.
Apart from furnishing its populace with power, DARSA is anticipated to yield millions of dollars in profits for the government. The proceeds from the selling of power will be used to pay for public services like healthcare and education. Additionally, it will support the government’s efforts to fulfill the energy targets that the UN and other international organizations have established.
Powerplant El Canada Reviews
The Canada Powerplant, a hydroelectric power generating facility, is situated close to El Canada at 48.1′ N, 14.69′ W, and 91.532′ W in coordinates. The power plant began operations in 2020 and has an installed capacity of 159.3 mW.
Canada Powerplant generates clean electricity for the area by using the region’s abundant and sustainable hydropower to power a generator. The plant also has a cooling system to remove any excess heat produced by the turbines. This guarantees the safety and dependability of the electricity produced. In addition, a grid provides backup power to the region in the event of a system failure.
El Canada’s population benefits greatly from Canada Powerplant in many ways. In addition to lowering carbon dioxide emissions and air pollution, it also guarantees the country’s energy security, creates jobs for locals, lessens poverty, and enhances the community of El Canada’s general standard of living. In addition to guaranteeing lower electricity costs for consumers, the highly efficient plant makes it much more economical for everyone.
Powerplant El Capulin Reviews
El Capulin is a 3.5 megawatt hydroelectric power station in Guatemala that can be found at coordinates 14.36 North, 90.91 West. It is projected to produce 6.64 gigawatt hours of power annually when it is fully operational in 2019.
Two re-regulation basins—one in the Ceibalanejo River and the other in the El Calvario River—power El Capulin. Energy is produced as the water from these two rivers flows into the Maria Aurora River and eventually the Ceibalanejo River. The plant is supported by the adjacent riverbeds, which provide adequate water to optimize its power generation.
Water, a sustainable and renewable resource, serves as the El Capulin power plant’s primary fuel source. This project serves as an example of the Guatemalan government’s sensible environmental policies in creating clean energy resources that benefit nearby companies and communities. One of Guatemala’s biggest hydroelectric power plants, El Capulin, makes a substantial contribution to the nation’s domestic power output.
Powerplant El Cobano Reviews
Guatemala is the nation that built the El Cobano power plant. The hydroelectric power station has an 11 MW installed capacity. The geographic coordinates of the power plant are 14.180N and 90.603W. Water serves as El Cobano power plant’s main fuel source. El Cobano began producing hydroelectricity on March 24, 52, marking a significant advancement in the energy industry.
For Guatemala and its people, the power plant has been a vital source of dependable, clean electricity. With an 11 MW production capacity, the power station can provide electricity to a sizable portion of the nation’s population. It is fueled by pure, green, naturally occurring water that is kept away from pollutants, resulting in little carbon emissions. This promotes ecologically sustainable living and local economic development.
The way El Cobano uses labor and water from the area is a wonderful example of sustainable development. Many Guatemalan homes and businesses can get electricity production because to the plant’s power grid link. El Cobano generated energy is readily available to the nation’s residents and companies because to the utilization of renewable resources and a dependable power grid network.
Powerplant El Manantial Reviews
Guatemala has a hydroelectric power facility called El Manantial. Its coordinates are 14.66 N latitude and 91.6280 W longitude. It can generate 3.8 MW of power. It was built in 1976 and can hold 7.38 MWh of energy annually.
Since it began operating in 1976, El Manantial, which is fueled primarily by hydrocarbons, has provided a significant amount of electricity to the towns in the vicinity. Since water is the only primary fuel used in the plant, the amount of water produced by rain is what determines how much power is produced. The plant is little, but it gives people in the surrounding areas energy.
By using this power plant, you can ensure that Guatemala is not overly dependent on fossil fuels and lessen the strain on the environment. El Manantial is viewed as an ethical and sustainable energy source investment as well as a shining illustration of the potential benefits of sustainable energy sources.
Powerplant El Pilar Reviews
El Pilar is a biomass-fueled power station in Guatemala, Central America, situated at 33.4 latitude and 14.54 longitude. The power plant, Guatemala’s first biomass facility, is situated on a hill close to El Pilar and serves as a major source of energy for the nation. The El Pilar power plant, which can power about 10,000 households in the area with its 10 megawatt capacity, was finished in 2020.
At El Pilar, biomass is the main fuel source. Burning organic resources like wood, agricultural waste, and other plant-based materials releases energy that is subsequently transformed into electrical power. This is a renewable energy source. This method of producing energy has far less of an impact on the environment and produces less emissions. El Pilar is contributing to the creation of a more sustainable energy mix in Guatemala by utilizing biomass as its main fuel source.
El Pilar’s power output lessens Guatemala’s dependency on expensive imported fuels and the country’s use of conventional energy sources. It is projected that this will assist the people of Guatemala save a substantial amount of money and generate employment opportunities nearby. With the completion of El Pilar, Guatemala is moving toward being a more energy-selfsufficient and sustainable country.
Powerplant El Porvenir Reviews
El Porvenir is a hydroelectric power plant with a 2.3 megawatt capacity that is situated in Guatemala. The coordinates of the power plant are 14.96 latitude and -91.945 longitude. Hydropower is the main fuel utilized in the facility to generate electricity. It was founded in 6.79 and is thought to produce 2.3 MW of electricity.
The El Porvenir plant makes use of the surrounding river system’s capacity to produce electricity by taking use of the hydropower conditions that are common to Guatemalan terrain. The local population is anticipated to gain from the installation of such a plant by receiving inexpensive, clean power. Furthermore, the cost and time needed to carry power from distant plants will be decreased by the plant’s close proximity to the local residence.
In Guatemala, El Porvenir is a very important source of electricity. Only a small number of the nation’s power facilities are responsible for producing electricity. El Porvenir is anticipated to be vital in meeting the nation’s energy needs because of its economical and effective power generation.
FAQ
Q1. What is the situation of power plants in Guatemala?
A. The World Bank estimates that Guatemala has 2,023 megawatts of installed capacity overall. Thermal facilities (1,506 MW) produce the majority of the power, with hydroelectric units making up the majority of the remaining capacity (485 MW). 13 MW of installed renewable energy capacity, including biomass, geothermal, wind, and solar power, are also available in the nation.
Q2. Is Guatemala facing energy shortage?
A. Indeed, there is a shortage of electricity in Guatemala. The demand for electricity is increasing faster than the construction of new power plants due to a lack of investment in generating capacity. To meet its future energy needs and develop its energy infrastructure, the nation will require large investments.
Q3. What are the sources of energy generation in Guatemala?
A. In Guatemala, thermal, hydroelectric, geothermal, wind, solar, and biomass power are the principal energy production sources.
Q4. What is the total electricity production in Guatemala?
A. The World Bank estimates that 7,958 gigawatt-hours (GWh) of electricity were produced in Guatemala overall in 2018. This is an 11% increase over the prior year.
Q5. What is the government policy regarding power plants in Guatemala?
A. The usage of renewable energy sources is something that the Guatemalan administration is dedicated to expanding. A policy was unveiled in 2016 to encourage the growth of solar power plants throughout the nation. The goal of the program is to encourage the expansion of solar power capacity and offer financial incentives to businesses who take on these projects.
I hope you find the information on all of Guatemala’s power plants that I’ve provided above interesting. If you do, please leave a comment.
Cory Combs is the Lead Writer and a key contributor at PowerPlantForum.com, a top resource for energy professionals and enthusiasts. With over a decade of experience in power plant operations and a degree in Electrical Engineering, Cory is a recognized authority in the field. His expertise in optimizing energy systems is informed by extensive hands-on experience and research. Follow Cory for the latest updates and expert insights on Instagram.