Changuinola I Development Costs Increase by $100 Million

©image: AES Changuinola

The Changuinola I hydroelectric project, also known as Chan 75, will use the flow of the rivers Changuinola and Culubre to generate up to 223 MW of power, or 1,046 GWh per year. Panama's current energy capacity is up to 1,534 MW with annual production of 6,000 GWh. Hence Changuinola I will increase installed capacity by 15% and production by 18%.

The total investment required for the construction was initially estimated at $600 million but is now predicted to cost an additional $100 million. The plant is scheduled to become commercially operational by the third quarter of 2011.

Angel López Guía writing for Martesfinanciero.com comments that, "to date the project has provided jobs for 2,136 people of which 491 (70%) are from the province of Bocas del Toro.

Source: martesfinanciero.com

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Changuinola I to Start Operations Later this Month

September 2011

With a total investment of $600 million construction of the Changuinola I hydroelectric project in Panama has been completed.


The work developed by AES Changuinola, will become operational by the end of this month providing the national energy system with 223 megawatts.

Changuinola Hydroelectric Construction 80% Complete

August 2010

The Panamanian project is now 80% through its plan and expects to begin operations in May 2011.

The project, located near the northern border with Costa Rica in Bocas del Toro, will supply 223MW of power to the national grid, equivalent to 15% of Panama's current electricity consumption.

Concession Canceled for Expansion of AES Changuinola

June 2011

The generator currently supplies 27% of electricity consumed in Panama, and the law states that this percentage may not exceed 25%.

The National Authority of Public Services (ASEP) has canceled the concession to build the second phase of the Changuinola hydroelectric plant covered by Law 6 of February 3, 1997.

Nicaragua: Agricultural Costs Increase Due to Fuel

March 2011

The increase in oil prices affects agriculture in both energy prices and in the cost of fuels required by this activity.

Francisco Vargas, from the Union of Agricultural Producers of Nicaragua, told End.com.ni about the impact of fuel prices in agriculture.

He explained that a block of land requires about 30 gallons of diesel a season to produce and that the cost increased from $ 3.85 late last year to nearly $ 4.52 in recent days. As a result, the cost of diesel associated with a block of agricultural production grew 17% from around $ 115 to $ 135.