The 380 MW natural gas plant to be built by AES in Panama promises to change the country's energy matrix, and the way energy is generated and distributed in Central America.
The economic flow that has already started with the construction of the gas plant in the province of Colon will be felt not only in the energy sector in Panama, which could become an energy generating and distribution hub in the region, but also in other productive sectors that will benefit from greater stability in energy costs and generate greater dynamism in logistics and shipping.
Energy EPM which already has a presence in Guatemala, El Salvador and Panama, has reaffirmed its interest in the region with the opening of another branch.
From a statement issued by EPM Group:
The Board of EPM authorized at its meeting on Tuesday the establishment of a branch of its organization in Costa Rica as part of an internationalization strategy that seeks to explore new business opportunities in the neighboring country, listed as one of EPM's target markets.
With an investment of $15 million in a second well, the reservoir volume and economic viability of its operation can be confirmed.
The company City Petén has invested $15 million in order to begin drilling a second well in the field at Ocultún in Petén. The Panamanian company plans to confirm the finding of a large reservoir of natural top quality gas and its production potential.
Companies from the sector are to meet on February 13 in Santo Domingo at a Forum on the panorama for natural gas in the Caribbean.
On Feb. 13 A "Forum on the Panorama for Natural Gas in the Caribbean" will be held in the Dominican Republic. During the event the prospects for natural gas in the Caribbean basin will be analyzed in terms of energy security, economic development and the role of natural gas as a cleaner source of energy for countries in the region.
The Mexican government is considering constructing a pipeline and eventually a refinery to supply the region.
Miguel Hakim, Mexican Secretary for Latin America and the Caribbean, said his country is considering building a refinery and natural gas pipeline which would cross the isthmus and would be an alternative option for generating power at low cost. Petroleos Mexicanos (Pemex), has $2 billion to invest.
The possibility that Guatemala has the necessary amount of natural gas for power generation attracts interest from various sectors.
A few weeks ago City Petén discovered a gas condensate reservoir from which, once refined, superior and regular gasoline and diesel and gas could be obtained. At the moment 250 barrels per day of natural gas are extracted and although this is not enough for industrialization, it could be a sign that there is more in the areas that are to be explored, explained Jose Paez company representative.
The company City Petén has discovered a reservoir of high quality condensate, rich in butane and propane, in an oil well in Ocultún, Petén.
"Everything indicated that Guatemala only had heavy oil with high sulfur content. However, this discovery of natural gas is changing the energy mix in the medium term, " said Luis Ayala, director of Hydrocarbons of the Ministry of Energy and Mines.
A proposed new natural gas plant would supply 120 MW of power to Guatemala.
Promoted by a group of Guatemalan and foreign investors through the company Energía del Caribe, the initiative is to invest $200 million to tap natural gas deposits discovered in northern Mexico.
"Steffan Lehnhoff, CEO of Energía del Cariba, explains that the plant would be installed in northern Mexico near the state of Monterrey, and will purchase natural gas from the United States and then send the energy via the Mexican electrical grid to Tapachula where the substation will connect with Guatemalan station Brillante", reports elperiodico.com.gt.
A tender is being prepared for the installation of a 200 MW power plant to generate electricity from natural gas, with an anticipated investment of $380 million.
The tender is scheduled to be released in October. The start of operations could be in 2015.
In an announcement from the Deputy Minister of Energy and Mines, Edwin Rhodes, it was reported that two companies are already interested in the project and that it will " be an opportunity for greater diversification of the power matrix and could enable prices to be reduced in the medium term. "