NICARAGUA SHOWS HOW TO DO NEW ENERGY

Nicaragua's Renewable Energy Revolution Picks Up Steam

John Otis, March 11, 2015

“Nicaragua produces no oil, but is a land of fierce winds, tropical sun and rumbling volcanoes. In other words, it's a renewable energy paradise — and today the Central American nation is moving quickly to become a green energy powerhouse…Just a few years ago, Nicaragua was almost totally dependent on imported fuel oil to generate power. The country also lacked thermal plants to turn that fuel oil into electricity. The result was rolling, 12-hour blackouts that damaged the economy and made daily life a grind…[But Nicaragua’s 19 volcanoes store] vast sums of underground heat. The country also features roaring rivers and sweltering sun…In 2005, the government set out to harness all that natural energy…Nevada-based Ram Power, has sunk more than $400 million into the Polaris geothermal plant located next to Telíca volcano…Renewables now generate nearly half of Nicaragua's electricity, a figure that government officials predict could rise to [over 80% by 2017]…That compares to just 13 percent in the United States…And it may be just the beginning. There is so much untapped energy in Nicaragua that it's planning to export electricity to its Central American neighbors.” click here for more

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