With large private and public investments and the support of the World Bank and the IDB, Nicaragua is ready to take advantage of its high renewable energy potential. With a potential of more than 2,000 MW, Nicaragua is one of the most attractive countries in Central America when it comes to investment into geothermal energy development.
In 2014, the Law for the Exploration and Exploitation of Geothermal Resources (Law 443) was approved, one of the most modern in the region. An attractive policy of incentives and tax exemptions for the introduction of equipment and implementation of new projects in the renewable energy sector is also being implemented.
The President of the Nicaraguan Electricity Company (ENEL), Ernesto Martínez said that Nicaragua has a geothermal potential of more than 2,000 MW. He added that there are currently two geothermal plants operating and progress is being made in the study and drilling of 7 new projects in the western part of the country.
The Geothermal Master Plan of Nicaragua has identified twelve areas of geothermal interest, located along the Pacific Volcanic Range: Cosiguina Volcano, Casita-San Cristóbal Volcano, Mombacho, Apoyo Caldera, Masaya Caldera, Managua-Chiltepe, Telica Volcano -El NÑÑ, San Jacinto-Tizate, El Hoyo-Monte Galán, Momotombo Volcano, Tipitapa and Isla de Ometepe. “Geothermal energy continues in Nicaragua. We have two geothermal fields in operation: Momotombo and San Jacinto Tizate, seven ready to be explored (beginning of drilling), which are Cosigüina, Casitas-San Cristobal, Hoyo-Monte Galán, Caldera de Masaya, Caldera de Apoyo, Mombacho and Peninsula de Chiltepe. “, said Martínez Tiffer, head of State company Empresa Nicaragüense de Electricidad.
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