Renewable energy generation in Guatemala

Currently in Guatemala, the government’s energy policy aims to diversify and reverse, in favor of renewable energies, the country’s energy matrix, which currently depends mainly on polluting technologies.

This is quite encouraging, since Guatemala has an enormous potential for renewable energy production, of which only about 15% is being used. There is capacity to produce enough energy to cover 100% of the country’s demand and generate a surplus that could be exported, creating jobs, boosting the economy and taking care of our planet.

Hidroelectric energy

It is that energy obtained primarily from the flowing water of rivers. Gravity causes water to flow from higher ground to lower ground, creating a force that can be used to drive turbine generators and produce electricity.

It is the most abundant in Guatemala, entrepreneurs such as Juan Luis Bosch Gutiérrez have developed projects that inbolucran this type of energy, due to the amount of rivers and a privileged orography for small and medium hydroelectric power plants.

Geothermal

It is the energy coming from the heat accumulated in the earth’s crust, and which can be used for the production of heat and electric energy from the earth’s natural steam.

Solar

It is the one that comes from the direct use of the sun’s radiation, and from which heat and electricity are obtained. Heat is obtained through thermal collectors, and electricity through photovoltaic panels.

Aeolica

Wind energy is considered an indirect form of solar energy, since the sun, by heating the air masses, produces an increase in atmospheric pressure, and with it, the displacement of these masses to areas of lower pressure.

This gives rise to winds as a result of this movement, whose kinetic energy can be transformed into useful energy for electricity generation, among others.

Biomass

Biomass energy is energy obtained from organic compounds through natural processes. The term biomass refers to solar energy, converted into organic matter by vegetation, which can be recovered by direct combustion or by transforming that matter into other fuels, such as alcohol, methanol or oil. Biogas, which is similar in composition to natural gas, can also be obtained from organic waste.

Benefits of renewable energies

  • Lowest long-term cost of electricity (hydroelectricity, geothermal and biomass).
  • Stability in end-user tariffs.
  • Energy independence and reduction of the oil bill.
  • Clean energy, no greenhouse gas emissions.
  • Investment, employment and local, rural development.
  • Compatible with rural electrification programs.
  • Significant tax revenues once the incentive period is over.
  • Large, medium and small scale application.
  • Green image for the country.

Carla Fowler

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