OREANDA-NEWS. The Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) approved a loan of \$65 million to support the strengthening of the energy sector in Nicaragua through measures focused on improving the financial and operational sustainability of the sector.

The program will support the country's efforts to consolidate a sustainable energy matrix through measures to promote renewable energy generation, greater private investment and energy efficiency. The program will also allow for greater transparency of results in the management of the sector, establishing mechanisms to improve the visibility of the performance of public companies and concessionaires.

The program will also support the improvement of financial indicators of the agents in charge of the transmission, generation and distribution of electricity, thus helping to improve the efficiency and sustainability of the electricity sector.

The IDB financing will foster necessary adjustments in the national regulations in order to maintain proper integration of Nicaragua with the regional electricity market and to ensure that the regional transmission line (SIEPAC) maintains its transmission capacity at regional level.

The program is expected to support measures that would lead to reductions in losses and improvement in the quality and efficiency of the electricity service.

The Inter-American Development Bank is devoted to improving lives. Established in 1959, the IDB is a leading source oflong-term financing for economic, social and institutional development in Latin America and the Caribbean.The IDB also conducts cutting-edge research and provides policy advice, technical assistance and training to public and private sector clients throughout the region.