Peru added nine power plants in commercial operation in 2019, for a combined 204 MW, which takes the country’s installed capacity to 13,248 MW.
According to BNamericas, hydropower was the principal contributor with the startup of seven plants: 7.5-MW Zaña, 1-MW Patapo, 86.2-MW Callahuanca, 20-MW Rucuy, 20-MW Chancay, 10-MW El Carmen and 23.7-MW 8 de Agosto. This data comes from grid administrator COES.
Callahuanca is not a new development, having been brought back online after it shuttered operations in 2017 due to damage from heavy rains and flooding as a result of weather phenomenon El Niño.
The other two plants that began operating in 2019 were bagasse: 21.7-MW San Jacinto and 14-MW Caña Brava.
No solar or wind capacity was added in 2019, as “further development of these non-conventional renewable energies would be subject to greater clarity on the regulatory and legislative front.”
As of December 2019, COES says hydroelectric installed capacity made up nearly 39% of the country’s total installed capacity. However, in terms of generation, hydropower provided 68.6% of the electricity generated in December 2019.
For 2020, three new plants are scheduled to begin operating. They are 84-MW La Virgen hydro, and 19.8-MW Manta hydro, and 2.4-MW Callao biomass.
