Energy security in Central America: a proposal for a comprehensive estimate

Abstract

This paper presents a set of indicators for the evaluation of energy security in Belize, Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Nicaragua and Panama. A study of the energy problems of each country established indicators suitable for producing an energy security index (ESI). These indicators were submitted to experts for validation, with the help of energy sector specialists from the Central American countries. The Delphi method was used to process the results, and all the indicators were approved. SPSS software was used to conduct a principal component analysis with the aim of compacting the number of indicators, losing as little information as possible and obtaining an interpretable solution. The ESI for each country was calculated from the resulting variables. The ESI trend in each country was examined in the light of domestic and international events that may have had an impact on the behaviour of the indicators.