SAMPOL has announced a strategic consortium with Bergen Engines, a leading manufacturer of medium-speed engines and generator sets, to supply a state-of-the-art 45 MW power plant in Petén, Guatemala.
The construction of the plant, owned by Innova Energy, is set for completion in 2025, making it the first power station in the country to operate on natural gas. Thanks to the collaboration between SAMPOL and Bergen Engines, Innova is poised to usher in a new era of sustainable and efficient power generation in Guatemala.
The plant will be equipped with five Bergen B35:40V20AG2 generator sets, renowned for their outstanding performance, efficiency and significantly low NOx, CO and UHC emissions. Developed by Bergen Engines, these generator sets strike a unique balance between energy generation capacity and environmental impact, aligning with global efforts to reduce carbon footprints.
With extensive experience in similar projects, SAMPOL will design a low-consumption, high-availability plant optimised for the performance of Bergen’s engines. The advanced digital control system will allow remote monitoring and supervision of the facility from Innova Energy’s headquarters in Guatemala City.
As a pioneering initiative in the region, the power plant will use locally produced natural gas. This transition away from imported coal, diesel and heavy fuel oil – commonly used in Guatemala – demonstrates a strong commitment to environmental sustainability.
“In choosing natural gas, Innova Energy aims to highlight the environmental benefits and efficiency improvements associated with this cleaner energy source,” stated Josu Vicandi, Business Development Director at SAMPOL. “We are delighted that Innova Energy has selected our consortium proposal with Bergen Engines, offering a turnkey, competitive solution with proven reliability in numerous projects worldwide.”
“This project represents a significant step forward for Guatemala’s energy matrix,” emphasised Theodore Lorentzos, Head of Sales for the Americas at Bergen Engines. “By harnessing the power of natural gas in a sustainable, locally produced manner, we are not only pushing the boundaries of technological innovation but also contributing to Guatemala’s broader energy transition goals.”
Lorentzos added, “We are very pleased that the latest energy auction results for Guatemala’s grid are largely represented by renewable sources. Our engines will seamlessly complement this carbon-free but intermittent energy supply with reliable baseload power – far cleaner than the country’s incumbent baseload sources.”
The introduction of Bergen Engines’ medium-speed technology at the power plant is expected to significantly reduce reliance on inefficient and highly polluting fossil fuels, which are prevalent in similar projects across the region. This initiative aligns with Guatemala’s commitment to lowering CO2 emissions and positions the country as a leader in environmentally responsible energy production in Central America.
Innova Energy executives also highlighted that using natural gas in a plant of this scale reduces the carbon footprint “for every MWh delivered to the market” while providing Guatemala with energy that is “affordable, reliable and cleaner.”
