ELECTRICITY INTEGRATION OF CENTRAL AMERICA LE

In line with the Global Gateway Investment Agenda (GGIA) flagship project for Central America, this Lending Envelope aims to overcome the infrastructure and environmental challenges that are limiting the development of the regional electricity market (MER-Mercado Eléctrico Regional). Specific operations will finance the build and upgrade of the transmission and distribution grids and support initiatives to enhance renewable generation.

EIB's EUR 1bn operation would be the financial cornerstone of the EU's Global Gateway flagship initiative aiming to develop the regional electricity market and energy transition of Central America. The investments, targeting transmission, distribution, and renewable generation infrastructure, will contribute to improve the quality and reliability of electricity supply in the region, as well as to enhance regional interconnection and support renewable energy generation.

Improving electrical infrastructure and distribution will foster a phasing out of imported fossil fuels and allow for a higher share of renewables in the eligible countries' energy mix. Therefore, the project is expected to have positive externalities in terms of carbon emissions and contribute to the sustainable development of Central America. The EIB will require the promoters to take all the requisite measures to ensure that the sub-projects receiving loans comply with national legislation and the EIB's Environmental and Social Standards, as well as international treaties and conventions signed and ratified by or otherwise applicable and binding in the country.

For each sub-project to be financed under this operation, the EIB will require all requisite measures to be taken to ensure that all projects are in line with the EIB Guide to Procurement.

Under EFSD+ Guarantee