The AES Corporation (AES) recently inaugurated AES Colón, a 381 MW combined cycle power plant and the first liquefied natural gas (LNG) terminal in Central America. The plant and regasification terminal are expected to begin commercial operations by September 2018 and the LNG tank, which will be the largest in the Caribbean, is expected to begin operations on schedule in the second half of 2019. The combined facility, which represents a USD 1.15bn investment, satisfies a growing need for natural gas in Central America and the Caribbean and will provide an alternative to oil-fired power generation. AES Colón will expand the use of LNG exports from the United States, to drive economic development and shape a cleaner, more cost-effective energy future in Central America and the Caribbean.
AES Colón will provide a cleaner alternative to petroleum-based fuels in Central America and the Caribbean. Initially, AES Colón will use 20 Trillion Thermal British thermal units (TBtu) annually, with U.S. gas exports totalling roughly USD 140M. The LNG terminal has a capacity of 80 TBtus, creating the total potential for more than half a billion dollars per year in U.S. gas exports. The 60 TBtus of excess capacity available through AES Colón will allow for distribution across Central American countries for electricity generation, commercial and industrial customers, transportation and bunkering.