NicaNotes
March 26, 2026
Nicaragua, a Top 25 Country for Renewable Energy!
[This article was first published by Explore Nicaragua in February 2026 and reprinted by NSCAG of the UK in March.]
Nicaragua ranks among the top 25 countries worldwide with roughly 70–80% of its power now generated from renewable sources.
Projects like the Amayo Wind Farm and others along the Pacific coast have harnessed consistent trade winds, making wind a top renewable source.
The first thing you notice when you drive over the border from Costa Rica into Nicaragua are the towering turbines spinning steadily against the Pacific horizon, their blades cutting through the strong coastal winds in the Rivas region. These iconic structures, part of the Amayo wind farm—one of Nicaragua’s pioneering renewable projects—are a striking welcome sign to a country that has undergone a remarkable transformation in its energy landscape.
Nicaragua, long reliant on imported fossil fuels for electricity, has aggressively shifted toward renewables over the past two decades. In the early 2000s, the nation depended heavily on oil-fired generation, but strategic policies, private investments, and abundant natural resources have driven a rapid increase in clean energy supply.
By 2025, the country had achieved impressive milestones, with renewable sources consistently powering a majority—and often exceeding 70-80%—of its electricity grid in recent years.
Key drivers of this growth include a diverse mix of technologies tailored to Nicaragua’s geography:
– Wind power stands out as one of the most significant contributors. Projects like Amayo (around 63 MW total capacity across phases) and others along the Pacific coast have harnessed consistent trade winds, making wind a top renewable source. Wind has historically accounted for 10-14% or more of generation in various years, with installed capacity around 186 MW in recent profiles.
– Geothermal energy, drawing from the country’s position along the Pacific Ring of Fire, provides reliable baseload power. Fields like Momotombo and San Jacinto-Tizate deliver steady output, contributing roughly 10-16% of electricity in recent data, with significant untapped potential estimated at over 1,500 MW.
– Hydroelectric sources, including small and medium plants, leverage Nicaragua’s abundant rivers. While large-scale hydro has grown modestly, maintenance and smaller installations have helped hydro supply around 10-13% of demand, supporting rural electrification efforts.
– Biomass, primarily from sugarcane bagasse burned at mills, adds another substantial share, often 13-19%, capitalizing on agricultural waste.
– Solar has seen accelerating growth, particularly in the last few years. With high solar irradiation (yielding around 2,300 kWh/kWp annually for utility-scale installations), projects like the recent 70 MW Enesolar-3 plant and others are expanding capacity rapidly. Solar’s share remains smaller but is poised for major increases, with plans to add hundreds of megawatts in the near term.
Recent reports highlight the momentum: In mid-2025, renewables accounted for about 73% of electricity generation, and by late 2025, the matrix exceeded 80% clean sources in some periods, thanks to hydroelectric maintenance and ongoing additions.Installed renewable capacity has climbed toward or beyond 1,000 MW in targets set for 2025, up from around 887 MW in 2020. This progress aligns with Nicaragua’s updated climate commitments, aiming for even higher renewable shares by 2030, and has positioned the country as a leader in Central America’s energy transition.
The benefits extend beyond environmental gains. Greater reliance on domestic renewables has reduced vulnerability to global oil price fluctuations, lowered generation costs in many cases, and expanded electricity access to over 98% of the population from much lower levels two decades ago.
It has also supported rural development through off-grid solar and small hydro solutions. Looking ahead, Nicaragua continues to prioritize renewables, with ambitious plans for more solar, wind, and geothermal expansion, plus emerging interests in areas like green hydrogen and energy storage. As those border turbines keep turning, they symbolize not just a scenic entry point, but a nation powering its future with increasingly clean, sustainable energy.
Briefs
By Nan McCurdy
Nicaragua Reaffirms Commitment to Multilateralism at CELAC-Africa Forum
Nicaragua reaffirmed its commitment to the unity of the Global South and the promotion of a renewed multilateralism during the high-level forum between the Community of Latin American and Caribbean States (CELAC) and Africa, held in Colombia on March 21. The forum brought together delegations from 88 nations.
Nicaragua’s Deputy Foreign Minister Olimpia Ochoa emphasized that strengthening cooperation between the two regions is essential to advancing toward a more just, democratic, and multipolar international order, based on respect for international law, state sovereignty, and non-interference in the internal affairs of other nations. The Nicaraguan diplomat advocated for a renewed multilateralism that allows nations to coordinate efforts and defend their legitimate interests on the international stage, particularly in forums such as the United Nations. She noted that this approach also involves strengthening cooperation in strategic areas such as food security, sustainable agriculture, education, science, health, innovation, and fair trade, for the benefit of the peoples of Latin America, the Caribbean, and Africa. “We reject the persistence of mechanisms of external domination which, in their quest for hegemony, hinder the development of the free peoples of the world through unilateral coercive measures and other forms of pressure, seeking to perpetuate new forms of colonialism against dignified and sovereign peoples,” she stated. Ochoa said that Nicaragua affirms the demands for reparations for the crimes of colonialism and slavery.
Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva delivered a strong speech criticizing what he described as a new “colonial approach” by global powers toward developing nations. He criticized U.S. policies toward Cuba and Venezuela. He said that after historically taking resources like gold and diamonds, developed nations are now seeking to dominate critical minerals and rare earth deposits in Latin America, the Caribbean, and Africa. He noted, “They colonized us, then we fought for independence… and now they want to colonize us again.” He condemned the “removal” of leaders and the foreign interference in countries like Venezuela and Cuba. (Prensa Latina and La Jornada, 21 March 2026)
Economy Grew 4.9% in 2025
The Nicaraguan Central Bank this week released good economic news from the year 2025. Gross Domestic Product (GDP) grew by 4.9%; total exports reached a record US$8.9 billion; inflation remained low at 2.7%; international reserves reached US$8.3248 billion at year-end and reached US$9 billion in February 2026. Coffee established itself as one of the key pillars of exports in 2025, generating US$918.2 million with a volume of 3.3 million quintals, reflecting increases in value and volume compared to the previous cycle. This was driven by favorable international prices which averaged around US$272.50 per quintal in 2025. The price has remained high in 2026, exceeding US$300 per quintal in March. The head of the Central Bank noted that the agricultural sector as a whole posted extraordinary results: livestock exports reached US$975.1 million, with a real production growth of 8%, and sectors such as tobacco, sugar, dairy, beans, and peanuts also stood out. These results, under the National Plan for Production, Consumption, and Trade, made it possible to supply domestic markets and contribute decisively to economic growth, exceeding targets despite climate variability. Reyes emphasized that this agricultural performance has been fundamental in generating employment and benefiting thousands of rural, agro-industrial, and coffee-chain families with job stability while also supporting public welfare, and poverty reduction. (Informe Pastran, 23 March 2026)
Government to Continue to Subsidize Petroleum Products
The Nicaraguan government reaffirmed its commitment to maintaining subsidies for petroleum products including cooking gas, despite increased global volatility in oil prices. In an interview with TN8’s La Notificación program, the executive president of the Nicaraguan Energy Institute (INE), José Antonio Castañeda, explained that this measure, implemented since 2022, has now been in place for four years and reflects a political decision by the country’s leaders. “In 2022 there was a very significant oil price crisis and to prevent impacts on the economy and families the government decided to freeze prices,” Castañeda noted. He said that, while international prices rose weekly—surpassing US$120 per barrel in 2022 and approaching high levels again in 2026—in Nicaragua prices remained frozen for the benefit of the country’s families and the different economic sectors. This applies to both gasoline and diesel—used in private, public, and freight transportation—as well liquefied gas for domestic use. Castañeda emphasized the benefits of this policy, which allows for stable budget planning for families and businesses and provides peace of mind by eliminating the uncertainty of weekly price hikes. And it represents significant savings, as it prevents global price increases from being passed on to the public, increasing the cost of living and production. It positions Nicaragua with favorable prices in regional and international trade, despite not being an oil producer or having large refineries. “It allows us to assure families that their household budgets regarding fuel will not change, no matter what happens. For the economic sectors as well, because diesel is the fuel that moves cargo in the country,” he added. When asked directly whether the subsidy would continue despite the adverse global scenario—with the price per barrel exceeding $100 at the time of the interview—Castañeda replied in the affirmative: “Yes, the future is always difficult to predict, but our government remains committed to maintaining the subsidy, to shielding against those impacts because these are impacts on the Nicaraguan economy, on each family’s economy.” (Informe Pastran, 23 March 2026)
Ministry of the Interior Clarifies situation of Bayardo Arce
The National Penitentiary System of the Ministry of the Interior released a statement on March 23 saying that: “The Ministry, in response to a public request—apparently made in bad faith—from individuals identifying themselves as relatives of Mr. Bayardo Arce Castaño, is releasing these photographs of the visit made on March 20, 2026, to Mr. Arce Castaño by his brother, Gerardo Arce Castaño. Any other interpretation or publication reflects the obvious and irresponsible intent to discredit and undermine the National Penitentiary System of the Ministry of the Interior.” In January, a court in Managua found Bayardo Arce guilty of the crime of “money laundering in the form of defrauding the State.” According to the indictment, he orchestrated a “structured scheme” to accumulate “funds of illicit origin” amounting to nearly US$3 billion. See photos: https://radiolaprimerisima.com/2026/03/22/bayardo-arce-recibe-visita-de-su-hermano-informa-sistema-penitenciario/ (La Primerisima, 23 March 2026)
Some 2.7 Million Plants of Various Species Ready for Planting
The Ministry of the Environment and Natural Resources (MARENA) reported that, as part of the progress of the “Verde, Que Te Quiero Verde” [Green, I Love You Green] National Campaign, there are currently 193 forest nurseries, with a production of 2.7 million plants that include more than 30 native species, including forest, fruit, and ornamental trees. According to a press release, the knowledge of 1,261 participants has been enhanced through 36 training sessions on nursery establishment and management and 10,914 plants have been distributed to families and communities, promoting public participation. Likewise, at the Genetic Improvement Center and the Seed Bank, efforts continue to modernize the preparation of the growing environment and the sowing of more than 24,000 seeds in 45,000 seedling tubes, ensuring the quality of the plants that will be planted with the first rains of May. The objective of these activities is to strengthen forest cover. See photos: https://radiolaprimerisima.com/2026/03/24/se-han-producido-2-7-millones-de-plantas-de-distintas-especies/ (La Primerisima, 24 March 2026)
Canada Seeks to Strengthen Bilateral Relations
Ms. Ioanna María Sahas Martin presented her credentials as Canada’s ambassador to Nicaragua on March 24. The diplomat conveyed her greetings to Co-Presidents Daniel Ortega Saavedra and Rosario Murillo Zambrana, expressing her gratitude for the warm welcome and her desire to maintain dialogue in areas of mutual interest, strengthening bilateral relations in various sectors such as tourism, agriculture, mining, and others. She also highlighted the favorable conditions for Canadian investment in the country. During the meeting, Foreign Minister Valdrack Jaentschke welcomed her and conveyed the warm regards of the Nicaraguan authorities. He also reiterated the willingness to continue deepening the bonds of friendship and cooperation between Nicaragua and Canada and the interest in expanding trade and economic collaboration between the two countries. (La Primerisima, 24 March 2026)
Over 39,000 Patient Visits at the “Porfirio García” National Diabetes Center
From 2021 to date, the Porfirio García National Diabetes Center has provided 39,095 patient visits. At this facility, patients receive care in diabetology, internal medicine, nutrition, orthopedics, cardiology, psychiatry, and urology; ultrasounds and laboratory tests, among other studies, are performed. This allows the country to prevent complications and provide appropriate treatment for the disease. The Ministry of Health (MINSA) continues to strengthen the Family and Community Health Model, which ensures free, quality care for patients. The center is located at kilometer 9 on the Masaya Highway and ensures specialized care and timely follow-up for people with diabetes. (La Primerisima, 24 March 2026)
