CEL did the opening of Talnique Solar, the initial photovoltaic plant of the State

The president of the Executive Hydroelectric Commission of the Lempa River (CEL), Daniel Álvarez, opened the primary photovoltaic plant of the Salvadoran State, called Talnique Solar, which was planned, built and will be operated by its subsidiary company Inversiones Energéticas (INE).

CEL ensured that this initiative illustrates «the strong commitment of the Government of El Salvador to the energy transition, environmental protection and economic development».

Talnique Solar is made up of 29,904 solar panels on a terrain covering 19 hectares and has an installed capacity of 17 megawatts peak, supplying clean energy to more than two million users of the national grid.

«This is the debut photovoltaic plant by the State, which was constructed with determination and vision to genuinely transform the energy matrix» said Álvarez, who also clarified that the project is a significant milestone, as it is the first long-term public contract associated with photovoltaic energy generation.

«This contract not only signifies progress in the adoption of clean energy sources, but also creates favorable conditions for a reduction in the price of electric power for Salvadorans», indicated the autonomous entity.

The project has an investment of $20 million and will annually reduce nearly 17,000 tons of carbon dioxide (C02) emissions, representing a significant step towards mitigating climate change.

«Beyond being solely an engineering feat and a work that has been constructed within the established timelines, Talnique Solar represents a social commitment for the new generations, as an interactive educational room has been built so that visitors can comprehend how energy is created using the power of the sun. Besides, Talnique Solar during its construction phase has significantly contributed in social responsibility projects, such as the construction of streets and gutters in La Pedrera neighborhood, in Talnique, benefiting dozens of families living in the area, in addition to other initiatives related to education and healthy living», stated CEL.

To ensure the environmental sustainability of Talnique Solar, CEL is constructing a lamination lagoon within the plant’s area, which will allow proper drainage of water during the rainy season, avoiding damage to the infrastructure of the solar panels.