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Tell a friendAgreement between Norway and the Government of Nicaragua regarding clean energy
[02.12.2009] The Royal Norwegian Embassy in Managua, Nicaragua and the Government of Nicaragua signed an agreement regarding the program “Development of small scale hydro-electricity for productive use in off-grid zones” 20 November 2009.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Norway will support the program with NOK 60 million in the period 2009-2012. The program will be co-financed by Cosude (Switzerland) and the Government of Nicaragua. The Nicaraguan Ministry of Energy and Mines will implement the program. The funds will be administered by UNDP.
The program will contribute to the construction of small scale hydropower plants and micro-turbines as well as grids and roads. The program will provide electricity to 48 000 people in off-grid rural areas. The program also aims to contribute to economic and social development in the communities benefiting from the investments.
Only 68% of the population in Nicaragua has access to electricity, compared to 94% for Latin-America in general. The electricity coverage in rural areas in Nicaragua is only about 40%. Currently 70% of the energy generation is based on oil. However, the aim of the government is that by 2017 only 15% of the energy generation will be based on oil and 85% on clean resources such as geothermal, hydro and wind energy.