Panama: Hydroelectric Projects Exceed $1.35 Billion

The 15 hydroelectric projects currently under construction in Panama have a value of $1.35 billion, and they will increase the installed capacity by 600 kilowatts.

Tuesday, April 21, 2009


©image: AES Changuinola

As reported by the Authority of Public Services (ASEP), the majority of the projects are being developed in Chiriquí and Bocas del Toro, on rivers with large flow.

The 223-kilowatt Gavilán hydroelectric being developed by the AES Changuinola US consortium is the most important one with an investment of $502 million. Next in importance are the Gualaca, Prudencia and Lorena projects by the GDS Suez Energy Central America Company, valued at $250 million.

The article in Prensa.com noted that there "are also other smaller projects in various provinces of the country, of which no details were given. ASEP said that the energy in these mega energy projects underway should be concluded by 2013 at the latest."

More on this topic

Panama To Invest $3.93 Billion in Energy Projects

April 2010

22 new energy generation projects are planned for the next four years.

They will add 1.061 MW to the country’s power grid, an 87% increase over Panama’s current energy generation capacity (1.208 MW).

“The focus will be put on hydroelectric power generation projects, in which $1.73 billion will be invested”, reported Panamá América.

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.

Panama Authorizes 26 MW Hydro Project

January 2011

The Public Services Authority of Panama (ASEP) gave Mifta Power Inc. a concession to build and operate the Santa Maria hydroelectric plant.

This dam will use waters of the Santa Maria River in the San Francisco district, province of Veraguas, to generate 26 MW.

Mifta Power Inc. has now thirty days to sign the Concession Agreement and pay a performance bond of $ 148,000.

Credit Shortage for Panamanian Hydroelectric Plants

April 2009

Restrictions on credit are affecting the development of Panamanian hydroelectric plant construction projects.

In Panama, the current 1,632 megawatt supply of electricity covers current demand with very little to spare, reason for which it seeks to increase supply by 47.4% for 2012.

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