National Issues
- Historically powered largely by hydropower, in the past decade Nicaragua has become more dependent on fossil-fueled generation plants. Recent fuel price increases have hit Nicaragua hard
- During 2006 and 2007, due to excessively high cost of imported fuel oil, parts of Nicaragua suffered electricity cuts on a daily basis.
- Politicians, regulators, and general population all publicly support expanded use of domestic renewable energy sources like wind power
- Public Law 532 establishes renewable energy as the national priority, and gives wind power preferred status over fossil fueled electricity
- Recently elected Ortega government supports development of renewable energy such as wind power to help address the county’s dependence on imported fossil fuels and accepts need to attract foreign direct investment
- Ortega’s Minister of Energy has provided a letter of support for the project