How many people are off-grid in Nicaragua?

The country’s electrification rate has increased from less than 50 percent in 2002 to around 97 percent in 2019. However, it is estimated that around 600,000 people are still off-grid, particularly in remote rural areas. Nicaragua’s National Sustainable Electrification and Renewable Energy Program (PNESER) was launched in 2010.

What is off-grid electrification in Nicaragua?

Off-grid electrification in Nicaragua today consists mainly of installing diesel mini-grids, operated by ENEL to serve some larger villages in remote rural areas, often at heavy financial losses which need to be financed by the Government of Nicaragua on a continuous basis. In a few cases hydroelectric and solar home systems have been implemented.

Does Nicaragua have a good energy supply?

Nicaragua has made good progress improving its energy supply. The country’s electrification rate has increased from less than 50 percent in 2002 to around 97 percent in 2019. However, it is estimated that around 600,000 people are still off-grid, particularly in remote rural areas.

What is the electrification rate in Nicaragua?

Nicaragua has one of the lowest electrification rates in Central America, approximately 65% [1] of the population compared to 99.2% coverage in Costa Rica [2]. About 68% of the rural population still lacks access to electricity [3] .

What happened to Nicaragua's power sector in 1998-99?

Nicaragua's power sector underwent a deep restructuring during 1998-99, when the generation, transmission and distribution divisions of the state-owned Empresa Nicaraguense de Electricidad (ENEL) were unbundled, and the privatization of the generation and distribution activities allowed.

What is the OPEC Fund doing in Nicaragua?

In 2017, the OPEC Fund joined forces with the government of Nicaragua – which has prioritized investments in rural roads – to finance the construction of bridges and to upgrade two critical road sections in key agricultural areas in the country’s northwest and center.