AUCKLAND, NEW ZEALAND (Commodity Online): World Energy Research (WER) has secured construction contracts and purchase power agreements for three new hydro electric projects in Guatemala. The contracts are the result of full-fledged support from the Guatemalan government.

The impoverished nation has rich sources of renewable and non-renewable energy, yet only a small percentage of them have been accessed. WER continues research and development of Guatemala's largely untapped energy resource base. For example, only 7% of the country's hydroelectric capacity has been tapped. The new hydro projects announced by WER will increase that percentage substantially.

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World Energy Research is also exploring Guatemala's solar, wind, biomass and geothermal energy and has found they are rich enough to not only energize Guatemala but all of Central America. Solar energy alone could generate enough power to meet the region's needs for the next five or six years.

Below are the estimated outputs of some of the energy sources WER is looking to develop in the country:
•Hydro: 10,900 MW potential output.
•Wind: 7,800 MW potential (estimated by the UN Environment Program.)
•Geothermal: 1000 MW potential.
•Solar: 5.3 kWh per square meter per day potential.

A WER spokesperson said, "There's a sad irony here. Guatemala possesses all these sources of energy. Plus it's the largest oil-producing nation in Central America. Yet it has to import expensive foreign fuel oil to run its power stations. Our research and development work in the country is turning up new ways to make Guatemala energy self-sufficient in the near future."

The company's R&D is focused on the viability of 18 project sites both onshore and offshore. The company expects to be in a position to open up investment offerings in some of these energy projects. (Courtesy: PRNewswire)