El Salvador to tender 150 MW renewables capacity

El Salvador's energy company Delsur has announced it will start an auction process on May 5, 2016 for wind and photovoltaic (PV) energy projects with a total capacity of 150 MW. 

The total investment for the projects is expected to be around US$300 million. 

The tender, which will include 100 MW of solar and 50 MW of wind power capacity, is expected to be completed on September 7, 2016.

The companies winning the competitive bidding process will sign a 20-year power purchase agreement (PPA) with local distribution companies. The plants are expected to be put into operation in 2019 and 2020.

The process will be open with a consultation process where investors can give feedback regarding the tender documents. After this process, the documents will be approved and the auction will be ready.

In 2014, El Salvador authorities awarded four solar farms of 94 MW in total. Bids for wind projects were higher than those for solar and no wind projects were awarded.