Guatemala City, October 20, 2025 – The International Finance Corporation (IFC), part of the World Bank Group, announced the closing of an innovative investment totaling $770 million in ENERGUATE, the leading electricity distribution company in Guatemala, to improve service quality in the Central American country and refinance existing debt.
The loan, structured as an “A/B Bond”, consists of a direct loan of $100 million from IFC’s own account and $670 million funded through an international bond issuance. This is the first time this instrument has been used in Guatemala. It is also the largest A/B Bond in IFC’s history.
The international bond, maturing in 2035 and arranged by Deutsche Bank Securities, J.P. Morgan, and Santander, attracted outstanding market demand, registering orders of more than $3 billion from over 200 investors.
The proceeds from the international transaction, after prepaying existing debt, will allow ENERGUATE to continue improving the quality of electricity service, strengthen energy loss control, and maintain the connection of new users within its coverage area. The company’s current customer base reaches 2.5 million households, businesses, and companies in the country.
“This transaction is a historic opportunity for us to continue creating connections that transform lives in Guatemala. It will enable us to consolidate a more efficient and reliable service, strengthen confidence in our country, and pave the way for Guatemala to become a regional benchmark in sustainable development and financial innovation,” said Paulo César Parra, General Manager of ENERGUATE.
“We are proud to strengthen our strategic alliance with ENERGUATE and continue promoting the sustainability of the electricity sector in Guatemala,” said Ivana Fernandes Duarte, IFC’s Regional Manager for Central America. “This milestone stands out not only for its size but also for its innovative structure, which will foster the development of capital markets in the country and the region.”
Established in 1998, ENERGUATE is the largest power distribution company in Guatemala in terms of service territory, population served, and number of users, and is an existing IFC client. In 2024, IFC provided a $175 million sustainability-linked loan—the first of its kind in Guatemala—to support the company’s expansion in the country. Additionally, in March 2025, ENERGUATE joined the Future Grids Alliance, a global IFC initiative that brings together emerging markets utilities to share knowledge and experience.
About IFC
IFC — a member of the World Bank Group — is the largest global development institution focused on the private sector in emerging markets. We work in more than 100 countries, using our capital, expertise, and influence to create markets and opportunities in developing countries. In fiscal year 2025, IFC committed a record $71.7 billion to private companies and financial institutions in developing countries, leveraging private sector solutions and mobilizing private capital to create a world free of poverty on a livable planet. For more information, visit www.ifc.org.
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About ENERGUATE
ENERGUATE is the electricity distribution company with the largest number of people served, customers, and the most kilometers of installed networks in all of Guatemala, and one of the most important in Central America. With the purpose of creating connections that transform lives, the company provides innovative and sustainable energy solutions that promote development in every home, business, and city. The company’s management is based on a strong sense of responsibility, guided by ethical values and responsible behavior toward its partners, employees, authorities, and the communities it serves.
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