But the projects featured in the firm’s promotion materials, announced as being under construction, are not owned by the company. They exist, but do not belong to World Energy Holdings & Research (WEHR), instead they are tenders by the National Institute of Electrification (INDE) since 1982, which have never been awarded to any bidder. They are still available for concession, with no real progress for their eventual development.
An article in Prensalibre.com reports that the WEHR website shows the projects as being in "advanced stages", which cannot be verified as these web pages are currently inaccessible. "Investors who bought shares in Wehr, according to documents to which La Prensa Libre has access to, received photographs, electronic information and documents of ownership in which company acknowledged a commercial relationship and claimed to be the owner of hydropower stations under construction and, according to its publications, other operations in Huehuetenango, Alta Verapaz and Quiche, all related to renewable energy. " Read: Hydroelectric Scam Denounced (in Spanish).
Foreign investors among the complainants reported that they were taken in helicopter rides over hydroelectric projects under construction, and they were told that such projects were owned by WEHR.
Since 2009, WEHR (then World Energy Reseach - WER) has issued press releases, distributed by PR-Newswire, reporting progress on its activities in Guatemala. As usual, these news items were published by various media, including CentralAmericaData. COM. Read:
Energy: Guatemala Would be Self-Sufficient
Research Group Predicts Energy Self-Sufficiency for Guatemala
WEHR has been formally denounced before the judicial authorities of Guatemala by investors who feel defrauded, and by the Guatemalan government for illegal use of national emblems.
More on this topic
August 2010
The $200 million renewable energy project in Quiché, Guatemala, is now operational.
The Hidroxacbal hydroelectric project will be managed by the Honduran group Terra and will contribute 94 megawatts to the Guatemalan power grid.
"Fredy Nasser, Terra Group president, said that the investment is one of the largest sources of energy in the region and a crucial element of the country's hydroelectric development," reports Prensalibre.com.
November 2009
World Energy Research (WER) closed three contracts for constructing hydro power plants, and for purchasing their energy production.
WER remarks they have full backing from Guatemala's government, and that they will achieve energy self-sufficiency in Guatemala in the near future, through their work on R&D.
March 2012
Located in Alta Verapaz, the Santa Teresa Hydroelectric Plant is capable of generating 16.4 megawatts (MW).
The hydroelectric plant is part of the Energy Division of Corporación Multi Inversiones.
"The energy produced by the station can supply approximately 25,000 households with an average consumption of 250 kilowatt hours a month, said the company’s public relations office .
September 2010
The start of operations of four generation plants during the first quarter of 2011 will add 190 MW to the electrical system.
This will be a result of a $410 million investment in the construction of four plants (one coal-based and three hydroelectric).
Romeo Rodriguez, Minister of Energy and Mines, explained that the first to start operations will be the one by Duke Energy Company, which will add 84 MW to the system.
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