Nicaragua taps 70 MW solar project to boost water access

June 30, 2025—Work has begun on Nicaragua’s largest solar energy project, the 70 MW Enesolar-3 plant in Nindirí, with an $83 million investment support from China. Far beyond a marker of energy transition, the solar plant is projected to provide year-round power to the national water utility, Empresa Nicaragüense de Acueductos y Alcantarillados Sanitario (ENACAL), enhancing water access and sanitation for more than four million people across the country.

The inauguration ceremony held last June 6 marked a decisive step toward tackling persistent issues on water and energy access, as well as fossil fuel dependency. Led by the China Communications Construction Company (CCCC), this project is slated to be completed in 18 months. 

Nexus between water and energy in Nicaragua


Cradled between the vast oceans of the Caribbean Sea and the Pacific Ocean, Nicaragua has its water and waves at its doorsteps, yet access to clean and safe water remains elusive for its countless communities.

With a population of 6.5 million, Nicaragua faces a pressing water crisis where over a million people remain without clean water. A stark contrast also exists between urban and rural areas in terms of water and sanitation access—98% of urban residents have access to water supply and 63% to sanitation, compared to just 68% and 37% respectively in rural areas.
 
This highlights the critical role of ENACAL and the government in ensuring every citizen’s right to clean and safe water is upheld. 
 
At the inauguration ceremony, ENACAL’s Executive President, Mr. Ervin Barreda, cited energy as a critical contributing component for the utility’s optimal service delivery and daily operations. However, with business electricity rates reaching 141.90% of the world average price and 98.59% of the average in North America due to the fluctuating costs of fossil fuel resources, the financial burden is substantial. ENACAL pushes through its mission of delivering water for human consumption and expanding sanitation infrastructure across the country against this background.

Leveraging green solar energy to improve access to quality water
 
The anticipated 70 MW solar power plant in Nindirí is a potential game changer in the energy sector as it promises a more competitive, accessible, and reliable source of energy.
 
Equipped with advanced technology capable of generating 140,000 MW of electricity annually, the new solar plant is set to boost the efficiency of ENACAL’s pumping systems and sanitation services. More importantly, harnessing solar power to cover 40% of the utility’s consumption will generate more electricity cost savings and lower operational expenses.
 
This project is part of the broader initiative of Nicaragua and China to expand renewable energy and reduce fossil fuel dependence in pursuit of sustainable development. In addition to the 70 MW Enesolar-3 plant in Nindirí, Nicaragua has entered the final phase of construction for the N-Solar 1 solar project in San Isidro while completing the El Hato photovoltaic solar energy project in Ciudad Darío.
 
By securing affordable, sustainable power for essential services like water, Nicaragua is advancing its commitment to equitable, climate-resilient development, echoing the CVF-V20’s vision for climate prosperity among vulnerable nations.

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