On 6 and 7 October industry representatives worldwide will gather together in Panama City to discuss issues such as the impact of the expanded canal on bunker operations.
Representatives from the Maritime Chamber of Panama, the event organizer, said to Prensa.com that "... The aim this year is to unite the bunkering sector agencies, shipping companies and their service providers, and present the problems of the sector to the various authorities in the country ".
In the tender to supply 18 MW using small generating plants 18 offers were presented totaling 120 MW.
The first tender being held for small generators exceeded industry expectations. Currently the technical bids are being evaluated and it is expected that financial bids will be opened on the 12th of December so that the selected companies can begin providing energy between May 2015 and December 2016.
The conversion to biofuel is feasible in agribusinesses who have their own waste production the raw material needed to generate it.
The return on investment calculation of $9 million in less than four years was a deciding factor in the Cooperativa Agroindustrial de Productores de Palma Aceitera (Coopeagropal) introducing a clean energy program.
"The biggest investment is the installation of a giant digester using German technology, in which the organic matter from the plant wastewater is processed."
The price of bunker in Guatemala has increased 36% over the last 12 months.
In March 2010, the cost per gallon was $ 1.79, reaching $ 2.45 in March 2011.
"Roberto Barrera, independent expert on energy issues, said that bunker maintained an upward trend similar to the barrel of oil," reported Prensalibre.com.
20% of electrical generation in the country is produced by burning bunker.