Guatemala struggles to meet electricity demand efficiently, relying on outdated coal plants and climate-sensitive hydropower. It is connected to neighboring countries via the Central American Electrical Interconnection System and Mexico. In 2024, 30% of its electricity was imported from Mexico. Power shortages cost the country $5 billion annually, affecting industry, commerce, and GDP. Generation costs and consumer prices are among the highest in the region, with a marginal electricity price of USD $116/MWh in 2024 (Source: PEG-5-2025).

In April 22nd, 2025, the Government of Guatemala launched the Terms of Reference (ToR) for a 1,400 MW electricity generation tender, focused on renewable energy and natural gas. The tender will be managed by the state-owned companies through Power Purchase Agreements (PPAs). Proposals are expected to be submitted on March 2026 (Source: PEG-5-2025)

Our company: “Guatemala LNG S.A.”, in partnership with international and local firms from the USA and Guatemala, has developed a comprehensive LNG-to-Power project. The project involves the import of Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) via a permanently moored offshore Floating Storage and Regasification Unit (FSRU) located on the Atlantic coast of Guatemala. The FSRU will consist of an FSU provided by Norway Company, equipped with a regasification unit supplied by Finish Company. It will have a storage capacity of 130,000 m³ of LNG and an annual import capacity of 0.5 million tons, delivered by LNG carriers from the U.S. Gulf Coast with an average travel time of 18–20 hours.

The LNG from the FSRU will be regasified via a based regasification unit and transferred to shore using  jettyless iQuay system. Once onshore, the gas will fuel a 5x1 combined-cycle power plant with a gross capacity of 400 MW, scheduled for commissioning in late 2029. Overall, the project will deliver over 400 MW of gross output using Siemens SGT-800 series gas turbines.
 
Electricity will be transmitted through a 230 kV line to the Santo Tomás Substation, 500 meters from the plant. The government is upgrading this substation from 69 kV to 230 kV and extending a 55 km line to the Morales Substation, linked to the national grid.

A 7.5-hectare onshore site has been secured, with an option for 20 more hectares. Key permits and authorizations (EIA, AMM, CNEE, DGH, DGE) began in May 2025 and are expected by December 2025. Separately, Guatemala LNG S.A. has signed an HoA for a PPA with one of the largest electricity trader in the country for the full 400 MW. The company is negotiating LNG supply with several suppliers from the USA, and turnkey contracts.
 
The total investment is projected to reach USD 580 million.