Is Nicaragua a bad investment environment for China?

“But Nicaragua has actually been a problematic investment environment for China,” Myers adds. The diplomatic back-and-forth with Taiwan has been an issue, as well as the collapse of the controversy-stricken Grand Interoceanic Canal project, designed to run through Nicaragua and rival the Panama Canal.

Could Chinese investment boost solar power in San Isidro?

In San Isidro, a mountainous and rural municipality in northern Nicaragua’s Matagalpa department, Chinese investment is helping to establish solar power – one of the latest arrivals in a wave of new projects announced in recent years, amid closer ties between the two countries.

What is Nicaragua's energy supply?

“This gives us a guarantee that the project will be carried out in the best way and will ensure its best performance.” Around 60% of Nicaragua’s total energy supply is drawn from renewable sources, with biomass (41.8%) accounting for the largest share of generation as of 2022. The remaining 40% is supplied by oil imports.

What happened between China and Nicaragua?

Relations between China and Nicaragua have fluctuated for years. Ties established with Taiwan in 1930 were broken in favour of the People’s Republic of China in 1985, during Ortega’s first term as president.

How much energy does Nicaragua use?

According to the International Energy Agency, Nicaragua supplies around 60% of its total energy from renewable sources, including wind, solar and geothermal, with biomass – an often contested renewable – accounting for the largest share, at roughly 40% of total supply.

Does Nicaragua have geothermal power?

The Maribios Range is part of the Pacific “Ring of Fire” and contains several active volcanoes. The government estimates Nicaragua’s geothermal potential to be 2,000 megawatts. Nicaragua’s National Electric Transmission Company (Enatrel) seeks to transform the country’s energy mix by focusing on renewable energy with its 2022-2037 expansion plan.