Does liquefied natural gas support power generation in El Salvador?

A project utilizing liquefied natural gas (LNG) is supporting power generation in El Salvador and playing a major role in the country’s energy transformation. An energy project in El Salvador has been called transformative for the Central American country, which has long relied on hydro and geothermal resources to support its power generation.

When did El Salvador's EDP power plant start operating?

Despite the enormous challenges, including supply-chain disruptions, travel restrictions, airport closures, global financial volatility, and Salvadoran COVID-19 mitigation measures and regulations, the power plant began commercial operation in October 2022. EDP is a transformative investment in El Salvador’s clean energy future.

How does electricity work in El Salvador?

From there, the gas powers 19 internal combustion engines and waste heat feeds one steam turbine. Two 230-kV electric transmission lines, one of which connects to the Central American Electrical Interconnection System, provides added grid reliability to the region and opens further opportunities for renewable energy in El Salvador.

Does El Salvador's power plant use LNG?

Invenergy officials said the use of LNG at the power plant has reduced emissions of carbon dioxide by 600,000 tons annually compared to burning fuel oil. The power plant also has reduced El Salvador’s dependency on energy imports from neighboring countries.

How does EDP work in El Salvador?

By shifting a significant amount of power supply to natural gas, EDP reduces El Salvador’s reliance on diesel and heavy fuel oil-fired power generation, offsetting 600,000 tons of carbon dioxide emissions per year, and provides grid support to facilitate more renewable energy penetration, further diversifying the country’s energy mix.

Who developed the EDP project in El Salvador?

Invenergy served as lead developer of the EDP project with the support of El Salvador-based partners Grupo Calleja, VC Energy de Centroamerica and Quantum Energy. To construct the project, Invenergy worked with a consortium of global project partners including BW LNG, BW Offshore, SAAM Towage, Boskalis, Wärtsilä, Elecnor, and Shell.