Nicaragua Wind Power: Another Oil-Producing Country Going Green

MANAGUA, Nicaragua — Energy-starved Nicaragua is turning to wind as it tries to reduce its dependence on oil-based power.

In January, the country will begin operating 19 windmills that have the potential to generate 40 megawatts of energy.

Energy Minister Emilio Rappaccioli said the $90 million project will be operating at full capacity by the end of January and contribute 6 percent of the country's total energy needs.

Nicaragua successfully ended rolling blackouts that left the country without power for hours on many days, but the government struggled to pay higher energy costs as oil prices peaked at more than $147 a barrel earlier this year.

Rappaccioli said the new project will save about $9 million a year in fuel costs, at current prices. The lead developer on the operation is Arctas Capital Group LP of Houston, Texas, which says it is in advanced stages of development for another 40-megawatt installation.

Wind is part of Nicaragua's efforts to reduce its dependence on oil-based energy to just 3 percent by 2013. The country has also turned to geothermal power from volcanoes, hydroelectric power generated by rivers and sugarcane based ethanol. Those sources provide 34 percent of Nicaragua's energy.

Ernesto Martinez, executive president of the Nicaraguan Energy Company, said recently that Russia will finance and build two geothermal plants in Nicaragua with the capacity to produce 250 megawatts. And on Tuesday, Rappaccioli said Iran, Brazil and Mexican billionaire Carlos Slim have also expressed interest in investing in the country's renewable energy efforts.

Nearly 80 percent of the oil Nicaragua consumes is provided at a discount by Venezuela, whose president, Hugo Chavez, is a close ally of Nicaraguan leader Daniel Ortega.

The 126-meter (410-feet) high windmills, installed by Suzlon Energy Ltd. of Pune, India, were set up on the edge of Lake Nicaragua. They sit in the shadow of the twin volcanoes Concepcion and Maderas on the lake's Ometepe Island, and have become a tourist attraction of sorts.

"They remind me of Don Quijote," said Danilo Gutierrez, a professor who drove from the capital of Managua with his family to see them.

The project's Canadian manager, Sean Porter, says officials are considering adding 19 more windmills.

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http://www.arctas.com/index.php/assets-projects/amayo

Comments

[SayWhatYouWill]

"Nicaragua successfully ended rolling blackouts that left the country without power for hours on many days, but the government struggled to pay higher energy costs as oil prices peaked at more than $147 a barrel earlier this year."

Of course, unless Nicaragua overwhelming uses fuel oil to produce electricity, the blackouts have little to do with oil prices. This article is poor; lacks a good understanding of both Nicaragua and energy.

[jmich12]

Im confused is it an oil producing country or not the title says it is but the article mentions nothing about it except that it is energy starved country this is almost as confusing as the article that says global warming will cause world war four without mentioning world war three ha ha

[mamacat]

With help from outside donors and investors, tremendous things can be done to help third world countries. Because their overall energy needs are so much less than in developed countries, the relative benefit from individual windmills and geothermal plants is much greater.

Money spent on oil goes up the smokestack or out the tailpipe, but money spent on developing renewable energy sources keeps on giving, year after year, freeing up money for other necessities.

[research]

Countries are figuring out the Energy independence is a necessity for Sovereignty.

[Rucio]

"6 percent of the country's total energy needs" should probably read "6 percent of the country's total electricity needs". Electrical energy is of course just one part of total energy use.

[charmedgreenquark]

Oil producing country? Is this a title typo?

[Changeizgood]

No this is another reason for all the bases around the world. Oil producing developing countries were quaking in their boots for years, as the US's thirst for Oil increased. Wars and rumors of wars on trumped up charges of dictatorship. This is an eyeopener for the others. What will they fight over next Sunlight, air, water. We have work to do, to prevent this.

Roll up your sleeves, it may get a bit murky and mucky as we discover the extent of damages being done to our planet.

This is one time, America better stay the course!

[starlady7]

I pray to God, the American people demand that we stay the course! There is still so much opposition to doing what is best for the evironment. We must prevail!!!! Everyone that cares needs to make their voices heard loud and clear. Government must step in and act NOW!!!! If enough people organize and demand change, we CAN effect change!

[motoGpifupleez]

America claims to be a leader in the world and we are watching , excuse me, Nicaragua moving forward with this idea. Thank you, Cheney/"W" energy cabal, for torpedoing every attempt at Green Energy here in the U.S. while the rest of the world moves forward into the 21st century.

[Wil]

Very smart, as Nicaragua is not an oil producing country.

[rasit]

Smart move...unlike us in the US...