World Power Plants

Cerron Grande Hydroelectric Power Plant El Salvador170 MW Hydroelectric

HydroRenewable

Ranking as the third largest power generation facility in El Salvador, the Cerron Grande Hydroelectric Power Plant plays a crucial role in the country's energy landscape. With a capacity of 170 MW, it contributes approximately 11.98% to the national power grid, making it a significant player among the 16 total plants in the country. As the second largest hydro facility out of four in El Salvador, Cerron Grande stands out in a region where oil remains the dominant fuel source, accounting for a substantial portion of the national energy profile. Located near the picturesque Lempa River, the plant utilizes the flowing water to generate clean energy, illustrating the potential of hydroelectric power in a nation predominantly reliant on fossil fuels. In close proximity, the 15 de Septiembre Hydroelectric Power Plant boasts a slightly larger capacity of 180.2 MW, while the Nejapa IC Power Plant operates on oil with a capacity of 151.2 MW, showcasing a diverse energy mix in the vicinity. Further down the line, the Berlin Geothermal Power Plant and Cinco de Noviembre Hydroelectric Power Plant add to the regional energy portfolio, with capacities of 109 MW and 99.4 MW, respectively. The collective output of these facilities underscores the importance of hydro and geothermal energy in diversifying the energy sources available to El Salvador. Commissioned in the early 1970s, the Cerron Grande plant has been a reliable source of power for decades, operated by the local government. As the country continues to explore renewable energy options, the significance of Cerron Grande grows, not only for its contribution to the grid but also for its potential to inspire further investment in sustainable energy solutions. Looking ahead, this hydroelectric facility is pivotal in reducing reliance on oil, paving the way for a greener, more sustainable future for El Salvador.

Capacity
170 MW
Commissioning Year
1976

50 years old

Owner
CEL
Location
13.9386°, -88.9014°

El Salvador, North America

Context & rankings
  • 3. largest of 16 plants in El Salvador
  • #7,971 worldwide by installed capacity
  • #1,639 of 8,493 Hydroelectric plants worldwide
  • 11.98% of the installed capacity of El Salvador
Age & fleet comparison

50 years in operation

Hydroelectric fleet average: 42.1 years

Operator portfolio

CEL operates 2 plants totalling 269 MW

Regional density
Data provenance

Source: GEODB

Location

Coordinates:: 13.938600, -88.901400
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Carbon Footprint

Zero Direct Emissions

Cerron Grande Hydroelectric Power Plant El Salvador is a hydro power plant producing approximately 596 GWh of clean electricity per year with zero direct CO₂ emissions during operation.

Lifecycle emissions: ~24 g CO₂/kWh (manufacturing, transport, decommissioning)

Technical Details

Primary Fuel Type
Hydro
Energy Source
Renewable
Country
El Salvador
Continent
North America
Data Source
Global Power Plant Database

El SalvadorEnergy Profile

16
Total Plants
1.4 GW
Total Capacity
OilHydroSolarGeothermal
Top Fuels

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