Electricity distribution companies will receive about $300 million less in state subsidies leading them to foresee an increase in rates which will affect the productive sector.
The State will compensate only the Chiriqui electricity distribution company (Edechi) with $27 million and the electricity distribution company Metro-West (Edemet) with $38 million, ceasing to give subsidies to the company Ensa.
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.
They are opposed to the tender for natural gas energy being awarded to the company NG Power, the only one to bid in the process.
"The Inter-institutional Energy Commission, comprised of six organizations, has requested that the contract not be granted and instead, a new public event be launched that includes more participants", reported Prensa.com.