2 November 2011: According to annual statistics published by the UN Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean (ECLAC), in 2010, 65% of electricity generated in six Central American countries came from renewable energies, a record for the region. ECLAC reports that of the total 40,668.2 gWh produced in Costa Rica, El Salvador, Honduras, Nicaragua and Panama in 2010, 65% came from renewable sources with 51.6% of the total coming from hydropower alone. Other renewable sources included wind (1.3%), geothermal (7.7%) and sugarcane (4.4%). Costa Rica generated the most power from renewable sources at 93%, followed by El Salvador (66%), Guatemala (63%), Panama (48%), Honduras (48%) and Nicaragua (36%).

The statistical yearbook also noted that: recent investments of around US$1.1 billion increased the region’s total generating capacity by 500 MW; total electricity sales were 3.8% higher than 2009 figures; 87% of the region’s electricity demand is controlled by five business groups; and despite completion of five of six links in the Central American Electrical Interconnection System (SIEPAC), cross-border trade in electricity remains low.

Each year ECLAC’s Subregional Headquarters in Mexico publishes two collections of energy-related statistics for Central America, one on the electricity sector and the other on hydrocarbons. [ECLAC Press Release] [Publication: Centroamérica: Estadísticas del subsector eléctrico (Spanish)]