Caribbean, Central America energy watch

Barbados’ National Petroleum Corporation (BNC) issued a call for bids to design, supply and install a 5MW grid-tied solar system as part of an IDB-financed cleaner fuels and renewable energies project. 

A virtual pre-bid conference will be held December 2 and proposals are due by January 25, according to the procurement notice. The start of the 12-month contract is estimated to begin in July. 

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The Guyana Energy Agency (GEA) launched bidding to design, supply, install and commission off-grid, small-scale solar systems, and distribution networks in five regions. 

Meanwhile, GEA’s EPC call for hydro projects Kumu (1.5MW) and Moco Moco (0.7MW) drew offers from Site Const. Inc. USA & Guy. Port Inc, B&J Civil Works, Vidullanka, Demerara Contractors & Engineers and Shandong Highspeed Dejian.

GEA also has bidding underway to review the hydro projects’ design and supervise the construction.

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Dominican Republic state power transmission company Eted reported it resumed construction of a 138/69/12.5kV substation in Villa Altagracia, San Cristóbal province, that will help distributor Edesur improve dispatch. 

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The environment committee of Costa Rica’s legislative assembly approved a bill to reduce the tax on LPG to 24 colones (US$0.04) per liter for six fiscal periods. 

Read Executive requests the Assembly to expedite a project that reduces the price of LP gas in Costa Rica by ₡ 27 per liter

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Honduras’ power regulator CREE opened consultation for a proposed firm capacity technical norm. 

“It has been made evident the need to review the methodologies so that the results are more efficient and consistent with the needs of the system and the electric market,” according to the watchdog. Information is available here. 

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Panama’s national assembly approved in a third and final debate a bill that establishes an electromobility promotion framework.

BNamericas previously reported advancement of the legislation, which is available at this link using number 162. 

For its part, state power transmission company Etesa announced it put into operation a new autotransformer (pictured) at the La Chorrea substation in Panamá Oeste as part of its national interconnected system expansion plan. 

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Guatemala’s power regulator CNEE approved a grid connection request from Transportista Eléctrica Centroamericana (Trelec) for the 71.8km, 69kV Río Grande-Jalapa transmission line in the departments of Chiquimula and Jalapa. The estimated connection date is the first half of 2022.