Alurack seeks to enter Guatemala's new solar investment cycle with a proposal based on regional manufacturing, adaptive engineering, and support throughout the asset's lifespan.
“We have our base in Colombia and for about two years we have been expanding regionally; we are already active in Ecuador, Panama and Puerto Rico ,” said Juan Carlos Ocampo , commercial director for Latin America of Alurack, during Future Energy Summit (FES) Guatemala.
The company specializes in the design, manufacture, and marketing of structures for photovoltaic installations . It is also part of the ACESCO business group, which has over 50 years of experience in the processing of flat steel.
REVIVE FES GUATEMALA HERE: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-fQIrVqwZYk
The company's next step focuses on Central America. Guatemala appears as a strategic location due to the growth of its renewable energy portfolio, the incorporation of energy storage, and the new infrastructure needs arising from the expansion of the electrical system.
“We are entering the Northern Triangle, starting with implementation and expanding our industrial capacity in the region,” Ocampo said.
“We want to be active participants that contribute to the transition and add value in regional support, from the conceptualization and engineering of the projects, the construction, to the support during the 25 years of useful life with regional backing,” he added.
Alurack's arrival coincides with a transformation of the Guatemalan electricity market. The PEG-5 tender awarded 1258 MW through 57 projects , and approximately 73% of that capacity corresponded to renewable technologies, with a significant share of hybrid solar solutions with batteries.
The process achieved an average single-unit price of $101 per MWh , below current contract values. The result confirmed that storage is no longer a differentiating factor but has become central to providing firm power, flexibility, and reliability.
In addition, the National Electric Energy Commission authorized the terms of Open Tender 1-2026 , intended to cover around 300 MW pending from PEG-5 and new needs associated with the growth of demand.
The new call for bids is part of plans to move forward with future generation and transmission tenders. Energy authorities also identified grid expansion as a necessary condition for incorporating the awarded projects and avoiding bottlenecks.
Ocampo considered that Guatemala has a favorable base due to the participation of renewable sources in its energy mix , although he warned that the expansion of generation must be accompanied by investments in transmission, intelligence and decentralized solutions.
He added that " it has some challenges very focused on transmission, which is the infrastructure that is required, but these technologies —such as storage, intelligence and decentralized generation— are very positive to complement it ."
From their perspective, the transition requires coordination between generation, batteries, digitization, consumption, transmission, and distributed resources.
The executive stated that the system must be complemented and progressively adapted to the existing infrastructure, while preparing for new operational and technological requirements.
Data and intelligence to integrate storage
The integration of batteries requires a precise understanding of the electrical system's behavior. In addition to projecting the production of solar farms, it is necessary to analyze demand profiles, peak consumption periods, and the expected evolution of the energy mix.
“Now, something fundamental in storage is having data, intelligence and an understanding of how energy demands are occurring, not just generation,” Ocampo warned.
This information allows us to define where to locate storage systems, what capacity they need, how they should operate, and how they will interact with the network. It is also necessary for sizing the infrastructure associated with each asset.
“That’s what will allow us to analyze very well how that integrated infrastructure is structured so that the technologies adapt in the best way to the matrix and how it will evolve over time,” the executive added.
The Guatemalan market began to shift towards projects capable of delivering energy during specific time periods and providing greater predictability. This design favored solar installations with batteries over technologies whose production is less manageable.
This trend necessitates a rethinking of power plant development from its earliest stages. Storage modifies the layout, incorporates new loads, demands additional access, and influences the distribution of equipment within the plant.
Continue reading
Batteries also change structures
Hybrid projects require different structural engineering than a conventional photovoltaic installation. The addition of batteries and auxiliary equipment introduces new weights, both in ground-mounted power plants and in commercial and industrial systems installed on rooftops.
Ocampo explained that knowing the planned configuration and the teams that will make up the project from the beginning allows for the correct preparation of the structural solution.
“You’re going to have new weights, either on the ground or on the roofs, if it’s for a commercial-industrial project, then you have to prepare how you’re going to distribute the loads across the land,” the Alurack representative explained.
The layout must be analyzed from the earliest stages. In rooftop projects, additional equipment can affect the roof's load-bearing capacity. On ground-level buildings, its location alters circulation patterns, distances, and civil works.
The design must also include space for maintenance and for the entry of machinery other than that required in a purely solar plant. A delayed decision regarding storage may necessitate redesigning access roads, foundations, and structures.
The change also extends to the orientation of the power plant. A photovoltaic installation without batteries typically prioritizes maximizing production during peak sunlight hours. A hybrid system must manage more stable load and power delivery curves.
“A power plant that only generates electricity seeks to maximize input during peak hours, but when storage comes into play, you have to start regulating the curves to have a more stable and predictable load input. This isn't achieved through catalogs; you have to get involved in the project with significant engineering support that analyzes static and dynamic loads, terrain conditions, and the surrounding environment,” the executive emphasized.
Among the variables that must be reviewed are soil quality, wind exposure, humidity, and proximity to industrial activities. A factory that emits corrosive fumes, for example, can determine the type of galvanizing or material required.
The construction method also affects the final solution.
Direct pile driving and micropiles require different calculations, equipment, logistics and timelines , so the structure must be defined together with the rest of the project components.
This coordination becomes even more relevant in installations with batteries, which add maintenance, safety, ventilation, circulation and operation requirements to the photovoltaic infrastructure.
Local industry and planning beyond 2050
Alurack's expansion is also based on a commitment to regional industrialization and the strengthening of Latin American manufacturers . The company argues that the energy transition should not depend exclusively on equipment and solutions from other markets.
The executive considered it necessary to leverage the lessons learned in Asia and Europe, but adapting them to the specific characteristics of Latin America. Terrain conditions, climate, logistics, regulations, and industrial availability vary from region to region.
For the manufacturer, developing local suppliers can reduce lead times, improve technical support, and facilitate product adaptation.
“We need that local strengthening, and that is achieved when the ecosystem believes in and supports local manufacturers, allowing us to invest to be more competitive and adapted to the region,” said the Alurack representative.
Ocampo also warned that energy policies must incorporate the necessary infrastructure to support their objectives. Announcements of new capacity require networks, industry, logistics, technical personnel, and coordination mechanisms among the various stakeholders.
Planning, therefore, should extend beyond the usual five, 20, or 25-year timeframes. Networks and certain energy assets can remain in operation for several decades , so their designs must anticipate technological changes and future needs.
“We always talk about visions for 5, 20 or even 2050, but a few months ago I heard something very interesting: why not think 100 years ahead?” Ocampo asked.
In Guatemala, this perspective is particularly relevant given the expansion of renewable energy, upcoming generation contracts, and the need to expand transmission infrastructure. The country also faces regulatory, contractual, and municipal challenges that could impact investment timelines.
The continuity of bidding processes and coordination between the central government, regulators, municipalities, and the private sector will be crucial. Awarded projects require predictable rules and an infrastructure capable of supporting their construction and operation.
“If policies are created from a single point of view, they won't be possible to implement; that's why we must strongly commit to strengthening an integrated ecosystem,” concluded the commercial director for Latin America at Alurack.
With its arrival in the Northern Triangle, Alurack seeks to position itself as a regional engineering and manufacturing partner , as well as a supplier of structures. This opportunity arises in a market that is accelerating the adoption of renewable energy, incorporating batteries, and demanding solutions tailored to the specific conditions of each project.