Peru

HydropowerIts geographical location and topography give Peru a huge hydro-electric potential. Proven hydro-electric potential is about 6 GW, but if probable and possible potential is included, the total for potential and proven producible energy would reach 74 GW and 316,702 GWh respectively. Hydro-electricity is the only renewable resource exploited in Peru. In 2006, it accounted for 48% of total installed capacity and 72% of electricity generated. The largest hydro-electric facility in the country is the 900 MW Mantaro Complex in southern Peru, which is operated by state-owned Electroperu. The two hydro-electric plants at the complex generate over one-third of Peru’s total electricity supply. The Peruvian government plans to expand its hydropower generation capacity through several hydro-electric projects: Olmos (624 MW), Sheque (600 MW), Cheves (525 MW), Chaglia (345 MW) and Lluta (210 MW). In February 2006, Egecen S.A. completed construction of the 130-MW, Yuncan hydroelectric plant, located northeast of Lima. The plant will be operated by EnerSur, a subsidiary of Brussels-based Suez Energy International.In 2011, the Ministry of Energy and Mines (MEM), through its Directorate General for Energy Environmental Affairs (DGAAE) approved the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) of the "Hydro-Lluta and Lluclla" presented by the Generation Company Arequipa SA (EGASA), through Resolution N ° 132-2011-MEM/AAE.The aim of the project is the construction of the Hydroelectric: Lluta I, with an installed capacity of 214.37 MW, Lluta II, with an installed capacity of 52.47 MW and Lluclla, which have an installed power of 238.4 MW.Wind energyThe contribution of wind power to the energy matrix in Peru is negligible, with just 0.7 MW of installed capacity in 2006. To evaluate wind power, 31 metering stations have been set up in almost all of Peru’s districts, which indicate that the best conditions occur on the coast and border regions between Bolivia and Chile. It should be noted that the Peruvian coast has significant wind power potential with averages reaching 8 m/s in Malabrigo, San Juan de Marcona and Paracas. Likewise, along most of the coast, annual averages reach 6 m/s, which encourage analyzing the potential for their use in generating electricity. The Departments of Talara, Laguna Grande, Marcona and Pta. Atico are the regions with the largest wind potential. Studies from the National Meteorological and Hydrological Service (SENAMHI) have estimated a total wind power potential of 19 GWh/year for Peru, or about 70% of current power consumption.The Executive Branch granted concession to Wind Energy SA to generate electricity in the future Talara Wind Central, with an installed capacity of 30 MW.Solar energyIt has been estimated that Peru has favourable conditions for the development of solar energy projects. However, the country solar potential has not been exploited yet. In the mountain ranges located in the South, solar energy reaches average levels above 6 kWh/m2/day, which are among the highest worldwide. On average, solar radiation across a horizontal area of the Sierra is more than 5 kWh/m2 and in the forest ranges from 4 to 5 kWh/m2.In a study by the MEM, it is estimated that there are just over 66 000 photovoltaic solar energy machines installed, providing an installed capacity of approximately 4.7 MW being Cusco, Loreto, Cajamarca, Piura and Ucayali the regions with the largest number of these equipments. In addition, solar cookers have been installed throughout the country. According to the Solar Atlas of Peru, it has being determined that solar radiation levels in average fluctuate between 5.5 and 6.5kwh / m2/day in both the coast and in the Sierra, placing them among the best places of radiation planet.The MEM, through the DGAAE approved the Environmental Assessment (EA) of the project "Planta Solar Fotovoltaica Panamericana Solar 20 TS" presented by the company Panamericana Solar S.A.C that will take place in the region of Moquegua. The project involves the construction, operation and maintenance of Solar Photovoltaic Plant and equipment assembly with a maximum capacity of power generation will be 20 MW, as designated in Resolution N ° 135-2011 - MEM / EFA May 10, 2011.Geothermal energyPeru has 300 hot springs with temperatures ranging from 49 °C to 89 °C located along the western mountain range and to a lesser degree in some of the Andean valleys and the eastern area, which would only be suitable for heating water and providing heat. Based on the available information for the six Peruvian geothermal energy areas, the Ministry of Energy and Mines conducted a geological interpretation, considering the socio-economic aspects of industrial development and possibilities for replacing oil derivatives in thermal plants, which led it to establish the following order of priorities: (i) chain of volcanic cones, (ii) Puno Cuzco, (iii) Cajamarca and La Libertad, and (iv) Callejón de Huaylas, Churrin and Central.Biomass energyPeru ranked second in Latin America in terms of its forested area. In 1988, the Dirección General Forestal de Fauna – DGFF (Forestry and Fauna Bureau), estimated for Peru’s forestry resources a maximum sustainable flow of 66 million of toeb/year, which would be the equivalent of 36 times estimated fuel wood consumption in 1998. If agricultural and agro-industrial wastes are added, the potential for bioenergy is clearly higher than Peru’s current oil reserves of 43 million toeb.BiofuelsThe Government has begun the promotion of biofuels production.  In the costal and forest regions of Peru, there are suitable soil and climatic conditions to develop crops that provide the volumes of adequate raw material to produce anhydrous ethanol and biodiesel.