Central America's wind-power generation grew 120% between 2009 and 2010, according to a new study published by regional economic think tank Comision Economica para America Latina (CEPAL).

All together, the region comprising Guatemala, Costa Rica, Honduras, Nicaragua, El Salvador, Panama and Belize, generated 237.2 GWh of wind energy during the timeframe. This came mostly from projects in Costa Rica and Nicaragua, CEPAL said, adding that Central America has attracted rising wind investments due to improving regulation for the technology.

In Costa Rica, there were 27MW installed in 2009 in the province of Guanacaste. At the same time, 55 turbines of 900 kW each began to function in the same area.

Meanwhile, Nicaragua turned on the 40-MW Amayo wind park in March 2009. The project is located in the Rivas province and is powered by 19 turbines.

Honduras is also making inroads in wind power with the recent announcement that it will bring the 102-MW Cerro de Hula park online in the first quarter of 2012, as previously reported by RenewableEnergyWorld.com. This is coming just as other developers could break ground on three other projects in the future, possibly installing an additional 120MW.