With these changes, it has even been possible to start selling the surplus to other countries. "Exports grew during march up to 1.860%, being the countries of Costa Rica, Guatemala, Nicaragua and Honduras, the largest buyers of those energy surpluses", explained the head of the Dirección General de Energía, Hidrocarburos y Minas (DGEHM), Daniel Álvarez.

In Central America, countries trade the energy they produce to generate extra foreign currency. This is possible thanks to the mechanisms of the Ente Operador Regional (EOR) and the Mercado Eléctrico Regional (MER).

But now the relationship has been reversed and it is among those that sell the most to other countries, after having covered the national demand. The main sources of generation are hydroelectric and geothermal; both under the responsibility of the State.

With investments in infrastructure and long-term planning, the authorities have managed to increase production capacity in all power plants. Between hydroelectric and geothermal, the supply exceeds 50% of the national supply.

"Another mandate given to them by President Bukele is that, with the changes in the general electricity law to make electric power a public good", explained director Alvarez.

This means that it is the government's obligation to guarantee that people have access to this service. This is how the Universal Electricity Access Program came about, which is already underway throughout the country.

Translated by: A.M