Local authorities announced plans to build in the province of Colon the Gatun Generating Station, an energy complex that will operate with liquefied natural gas and will require a $1,000 million investment.
The morning of June 1, President Laurentino Cortizo Cohen explained that this project will require a foreign investment from Group Energy Gas Panama, a consortium formed by InterEnergy Group and AES Panama.
In the last ten years the use of renewable energy has doubled in the country, and currently sources of generation of this type represent between 65% and 70% of national consumption.
According to the authorities at the National Electricity Commission (CNEE), the stability that has been achieved in electricity rates and the lower dependence on oil derivatives, is due to the fact that the country is consuming more energy generated through renewable sources.
After requesting an extension to postpone the date of entry into operations, authorities at AES Panama confirmed that the plant will begin operations on September 1.
Construction of the plant started in May 2016 and will have three generators, three gas turbines and one steam turbine, reaching a total installed capacity of 381 MW.
Construction projects for water treatment plants, and extensions to the Metro and the airport, are works that will considerably increase demand for electricity in the coming years.
According to the National Interconnected System Plan 2017-2031, construction of several water purification plants in different areas around the country will increase demand for electricity, as they are "...
The plan to reduce subsidies on electricity tariffs could be executed within four years, between 2018 and 2022, and in coordination with the business sector.
The Ortega administration's plan is to start with revision of the current subsidy schemes and develop a strategy to reduce them gradually.
Bayardo Arce Castaño, adviser of Economic and Financial Affairs at the Presidency, explained: "...The IDB is going to lend us $65 million to make progress in the regulation of the electricity sector.The idea is that this reorganization take place between 2018 and 2022.It is not that tomorrow or the first of January of 2018 the subsidy will be removed or the rate lowered or raised, it is not like that.This is a four-year affair. "
A new report by the Ministry of Energy and Mines provides detailed statistics on the electricity subsector, the generation matrix for 2011-2016, and data on renewable energy, among other things.
From the Introduction of the report entitled "Guatemala's New Energy Statistics Module", by the Ministry of Energy and Mines:
The purpose of this Energy Module is to show, in a synthetic way, the behavior of the main variables of the energy sector, especially the electricity subsector, which includes electricity generation by type of source and consumption of fuels used for said generation; effective installed capacity and power demand in the National Interconnected System; Supply and Consumption of electrical energy, imports and exports of energy, and electricity tariffs at the national and regional levels. Likewise, general aspects of renewable energies in electricity generation are shown, with an emphasis on solar and wind power.
The change in the energy matrix towards renewable sources is at risk "because of social unrest and systemic opposition to the development that Guatemala so desperately needs."
From the executive summary of the report"Impact of ungovernability and systemic opposition to renewable electricity generators and their socio economic effects locally and nationally both now and in the future 2015-2030":
On October 20th and 21st entrepreneurs from the region will gather together in Panama City to discuss issues such as the electricity market rules, new and renewable energy projects.
From a statement issued by the International Symposium on Energy:
This year the 8th. International Symposium on Energy seeks to promote spaces for reflection on energy issues, to help analyze the performance and limitations of developing new projects, build consensus, define the options for the energy market and, finally, develop a social impact using the media.
Gator Partners has obtained a provisional license to build in Bahia Las Minas, Panama, a power plant with a capacity of 400MW, based on ethane.
Gator Partners is planning to build and operate a power plant called "Térmica Energía Corotú" which will operate using ethane gas with a combined cycle plant with a capacity of 400MW.
The project sponsor, Gator Partners LataAm SA is a public limited company established in the Township of Panama City and was registered on November 11, 2014, with the Folio No. 155 585 316. The legal representative is a Panamanian, Oguel Alejandro Suero.
On July 30 energy companies will be gathering together to find out about the proposed government Energy Policy 2015-2030 and other topics such as advances in distributed generation.
From a statement issued by the Chamber of Industries of Costa Rica:
VI National Congress on Energy, "National Reality and Perspectives"
On 30 July, the Chamber of Industries of Costa Rica will be holding the Sixth National Congress on Energy entitled, "National Reality and Prospects" which will be held in the Wyndham Hotel Herradura Convention Center.
It is estimated that 100 MW of extra energy a year demanded by Panamanians require an average investment in generation and distribution systems of $400 million a year.
Every year the addition is needed of another 100 MW of power in order to meet the country's growing demand for energy, representing an investment of approximately $400 million a year, according to data from the National Energy Secretariat.
The clean energy company VIASPACE has announced that it will be designing and building, together with the Nicaraguan company Agricorp, a plant which generates energy from waste.
From a statement issued by VIASPACE:
VIASPACE Inc. announced that together with Agricorp it has signed an agreement to acquire engineering and construction supervision of a 12 MW biomass plant, which will measure 834 hectares (2,060 acres).
On october 15th and 16th companies from the sector will gather together in Panama City in order to discuss issues such as energy efficiency, technology and the use of renewable energy in the region.
From a statement issued by the Union of Industrialists of Panama:
Panama, September 18, 2014. The Union of Industrialists of Panama (SIP), in light of energy issues and the implementation of new regulations that will reduce the cost of energy, will be holding from 15th to 16th of October 2014, at the Hotel El Panama, the 7th International Symposium on Energy entitled: "Industry, Innovative contributions to the electricity market.
Hydroelectric projects and expansion of distribution networks are part of the opportunities that Colombian Power firms are looking to take advantage of in the Isthmus.
There are now three Colombian energy sector companies that have decided to venture into Central America to be part of the development of an activity that still has much room for growth in the region.
The private sector has proposed that free competition in the generation market be maintained and it not be regulated and that there be a permanent plan to promote energy savings.
From a press release issued by the Presidency of Panama:
The Energy Agency Committee, comprising of representatives from the private sector, handed over to the Presidency Minister, Roberto Henriquez, a proposal to make the energy market in Panama more dynamic and economical.