In Guatemala, Five projects that will provide the country with energy from solar plants are already approved to begin operations between 2025 and 2028. In addition, three projects of the same nature are waiting for resolution by the National Electric Power Commission (CNEE), according to data from the same institution. In total, the new solar energy plants will grant 413 MW of energy, which is equivalent to the energy consumption of 430 thousand users, according to the CNEE.
On May 8, the country reached 2,204 MW of energy demand, which, according to Astrid Perdomo, executive director of the Association of Renewable Energy Generators (AGER), exceeds the Maximum historical demand from Guatemala. “It is seen that this will continue to increase, mainly in the heat months,” said Perdomo.
According to AGer’s executive director, during 2024, solar energy represented almost 2% of the country’s total generation. In the first four -month period of 2025, Perdomo stressed that this type of energy represented 2.5%. This, analyzed Perdomo, will increase from the plants that begin to be built, which could help overcome the risk of energy deficit that the country currently faces, according to Perdomo.
Perdomo stressed that this type of plants They are considered more competitive in terms of installation and operation costs. “In a year a plant can be installed in the country,” he said and added that while 1 MW installed in a hydroelectric plant costs about US $ 3 million, 1 MW installed in a solar plant costs up to US $ 650 thousand. This, according to Perdomo, could counteract the problem of insufficient production and the constant increase in demand.
Solar energy projects in Guatemala
1. Santo Tomás Solar Plant
Responsible Company: Solar El Progreso, SA
- Location: Kilometer 98.5, road to El Salvador, municipality of Jalpatagua, Jutiapa
- Installed capacity: 100 MW
- State: Approved
- Planned start of operations: 2028
2. YOLANDA SOLAR PLANT
Responsible Company: Ecoener
- Location: Departmental Road of Escuintla 38, kilometer 1 to Lindamar, Aldea Black button, San José, Escuintla
- Installed capacity: 61 MW
- State: In operation
3. Solar farm Ensol II
Responsible Company: ESOL, SA
- Location: Finca Las Conchitas, municipality of Champerico, Retalhuleu
- Installed capacity: 15 MW
- State: Approved
- Planned start of operations: 2026
4. PFV El Carrizo
Responsible Company: Ecoener Sol del Escuintla, SA
- Location: Finca El Carrizo, Road to Iztapa, San José, Escuintla
- Installed capacity: 62 MW
- State: Approved
- Planned start of operations: 2025
5.
Responsible Company: Tierra del Sol, SA
- Location: Central Generator Tierra del Sol, municipality of Masagua, Escuintla
- Installed capacity: 75 MW
- State: Approved
- Planned start of operations: 2025
6. Magdalena Solar Project (Solar Central 50 MWAC)
Responsible Company: San Patricio Renewables, SA
- Location: Road to Sipacate, Escuintla
- Installed capacity: 50 MW
- State: Waiting for CNEE resolution
- Planned start of operations: 2026
7. Solar Mersa
Responsible Company: Renewable Energy Mechanisms, SA (Mersa)
- Location: White water, Jutiapa
- Installed capacity: 40 MW
- State: Waiting for CNEE resolution
- Planned start of operations: 2026
8. Solarium Delta
Responsible Company: Clean energy from Guatemala, SA (Elgua)
- Location: White water, Jutiapa
- Installed capacity: 10 MW
- State: Waiting for CNEE resolution
- Planned start of operations: 2026
It should be stressed that there are currently two more solar plants already in operation: Horus 1 and 2, which generate 80 MW of energy and began operations in 2015, in the municipality of Chiquimulilla, in Santa Rosa, according to data from the administrator of the wholesale market (AMM) and provided by the CNEE.
See technological advance
Perdomo stressed that Guatemala has the potential opportunity to generate 7 thousand MW of energy with sun, being a production of clean and renewable energy. “It mainly reduces the dependence on fossil fuels,” said Perdomo, who explained that, due to the reduced hydrocarbon industry in the country, fuels must be imported.
Likewise, AGER’s executive director mentioned that the creation of solar energy plants is considered a technological advance, which can help the development of communities where they are already installed to take advantage of natural resources.
On the other hand, taking advantage of Guatemala’s renewable potential can help the country meet their goals on environmental issues. According to Perdomo, the country, being a signatory to Paris agreements on climate change, could reach the objective of emission reduction from the production of solar energy.
Energy diversity
Perdomo described diversity as the strength of Guatemala’s energy matrix. “More than 66% of the generation comes from renewable sources,” said the executive director. By having a diversification within said matrix, Perdomo pointed out that the country’s vulnerability is reduced to climate changes and international price increases.
According to AMM data and provided by the CNEE, in the month of March 2025, the effective power of hydraulic megawatts was 1,515,525 MW; The energy generated in a thermal way was 1,799,039 MW; The energy generated through the Sun was 196,400 MW and, in a wind, was 109,800 MW.
“This would allow different technologies to complement each other. For example, in summer we can take advantage of the solar generation, which is complemented so that we can use the water at night,” Sorry. This diversity, according to Perdomo, would help the consolidation of constant rates and greater supply security.