El Salvador’s Solar Energy: Key Milestones Achieved
The expansion of solar energy in El Salvador marks a significant milestone in the nation’s renewable energy efforts. By 2025, the country had achieved a total installed solar capacity of 350 megawatts (MW), demonstrating its commitment to sustainable energy solutions. This growth is further highlighted by the impressive 3% economic growth rate projected for El Salvador, largely driven by the expansion of its solar energy sector, as noted by PVKnowHow.
This increase in solar capacity was facilitated by key projects such as the Santa Marta Solar Plant and the Tecoluca Solar Plant. The Santa Marta Solar Plant, boasting an installed capacity of 10 MW, was inaugurated in January 2025. This plant, a collaborative effort between Enel Green Power (EGP) and Eni, is situated in the municipality of Santa Marta, Sonsonate. It is projected to generate approximately 20,000 megawatt-hours (MWh) of electricity annually, sufficient to power around 5,000 homes in the region.
The Tecoluca Solar Plant, also inaugurated in January 2025, adds another 20 MW to El Salvador’s solar energy infrastructure. This plant, located in the municipality of Tecoluca, San Vicente, is a partnership between Energia del Pacifico and Neoen. Similar to the Santa Marta plant, it is expected to produce around 20,000 MWh of electricity each year, also capable of powering approximately 5,000 homes.
The Role of Wind Energy Alongside El Salvador solar energy
El Salvador’s commitment to renewable energy extends beyond solar power, with significant investments in wind energy as well. The Ventus Wind Farm, inaugurated in 2022, has a capacity of 54 MW. Located in the municipalities of Metapán and La Palma, this wind farm is projected to produce around 150,000 MWh of electricity per year, enough to power approximately 40,000 homes. Notably, the Ventus Wind Farm represents the first wind energy project in El Salvador, marking a crucial advancement in the country’s renewable energy sector. This project is a collaborative venture between the Salvadoran company Ventus and AES Corporation.
El Salvador’s Commitment to Renewable Energy and solar energy
The Salvadoran government has set an ambitious goal of achieving 100% renewable energy by 2050. To reach this target, the government is committed to ongoing investments in renewable energy projects and promoting private sector involvement. This dedication is reflected in the construction of new solar power plants across the country, with a combined capacity expected to exceed 2,000 MW by 2025, underscoring El Salvador’s impressive renewable energy goals.
The expansion of both solar and wind energy is set to continue in the coming years, with several new projects already in development. These include the 50 MW Cerrón Grande Solar Plant and the 100 MW La Paz Wind Farm. The Cerrón Grande Solar Plant, a collaboration between Acciona and Energía del Pacífico, is located in the municipality of Cerrón Grande, Chalatenango, and is expected to be completed in 2026. It is projected to produce around 80,000 MWh of electricity per year, powering approximately 20,000 homes. The La Paz Wind Farm, with a capacity of 100 MW, is a partnership between Vestas and Ventus and is located in the municipality of La Paz, La Paz. This wind farm is expected to be completed by 2027 and is projected to produce around 300,000 MWh of electricity per year, powering approximately 80,000 homes.
The Economic and Environmental Impact of Renewable Energy and El Salvador solar energy
The growth of solar and wind energy in El Salvador is anticipated to have a substantial positive impact on the country’s economy. By reducing reliance on imported fossil fuels, which are subject to price volatility, El Salvador can stabilize its energy costs and enhance its energy independence. Furthermore, the renewable energy sector is expected to create numerous jobs and contribute to reducing the country’s greenhouse gas emissions.
Environmentally, the expansion of solar and wind energy will help to decrease El Salvador’s carbon footprint and support global efforts to combat climate change. The existing and planned solar and wind projects in El Salvador are projected to displace approximately 500,000 metric tons of carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions annually.
The Future of Renewable Energy and El Salvador solar energy
Looking forward, the Salvadoran government plans to further invest in renewable energy projects and encourage private sector participation. The government aims to increase the country’s solar capacity to 500 MW and wind capacity to 400 MW by 2030. With projects like the 140 MW Capella Solar project, El Salvador is already demonstrating significant advancements in its renewable energy goals.
The future of renewable energy in El Salvador appears promising. The country is on track to meet its objective of achieving 100% renewable energy by 2050. The continued expansion of solar and wind energy, with new projects being developed and existing ones expanded, is expected to generate approximately 3,000 gigawatt-hours (GWh) of electricity per year by 2030. This output is sufficient to power around 800,000 homes, marking a significant step towards a sustainable energy future for El Salvador.
