The plan is to implement longer terms in contracts and release energy and power demand from large customers.
The Energy Plan 2015-2020 presented by the National Secretariat of Energy in Panama is broken down into two main parts: first, the Short-Term Operational Plan 2015-2019, where proposals for the period are detailed, and second, the National energy Scenarios Plan 2015-2020, including projections of fuel prices and other energy sources and demand estimates, expected changes in the energy matrix and the future role of private companies in the energy system.
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.
The Ministry of Environment in Costa Rica is considering raising the ceiling on the amount of energy private generators are allowed to produce above the current 15%, but these companies are demanding the elimination of the ceiling and free competition.
Private power generation companies are opposed to pricing and limits that are imposed on the participation and sale of power in the country, and consider it a "discriminatory act".
The Energy Department has announced that it will revise regulations on the market and energy contracts in order to make it more competitive and attract more investment to the sector.
Generating the conditions in the electricity market to encourage more private companies to invest is the aim of the Energy Department, whose chief, Victor Urrutia, said that "...
In 2013 63% of the electrical energy fed into the transmission networks in the region was generated from renewable sources.
From a report entitled "Central America: production statistics for the electricity subsector, 2013", prepared by the Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean (ECLAC):
"... The production of electricity in the six countries amounted to 45,735 GWh, 3.3% higher than in 2012.
The Government is evaluating offers by El Salvador and Guatemala for the supply of 80 MW needed to meet local demand.
The option of importing power from neighboring countries is conditional on the capacity constraints in power transmission lines.
The Minister of Economy and Finance, Frank De Lima said "together with Empresa de Generación Eléctrica (EGESA) an analysis is being made of increasing purchases of power from Central American countries such as El Salvador and Guatemala, among others."