The industrial sector in Panama is saying that during last summer's crisis they were only paid for the energy generated without receiving recognition for the installed power.
They have asked the National Authority of Public Services (ASEP) to recognize the 300 megawatts of electrical power that they have installed in their plants.
According to Ivan Barria, director of the energy commission of the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Panama," Empresa de Transmisión Eléctrica S.A. (Etesa) allocated $14.4 million to ensure the supply of 80 megawatts of power for the next few months and that they would pay Aggreko at the rate of $30 per kilowatt month, when the average cost is between $10 and $12", reported Prensa.com.
Panama launched a tender for 80 MW of backup power generation for the dry season, plus another for new plants for the same amount and same period.
Empresa de Transmisión Eléctrica S.A. (Egesa) is the entity which launched the tender for equipment rental and Electricity Transmission Company SA (Etesa) launched the tender for contracts for new plants.
A modification in the tender by Empresa de Generación Eléctrica, S.A. (Egesa) for the rental of power generation equipment could favor one of the participating companies.
So say some of those interested in the tender launched by the state run company Empresa de Generación Eléctrica S.A. (Egesa). "This is an abbreviated tender whose reference price is $21 million for a contract for thermal generation equipment which needs to be available between 1 January and 30 June 2014", reported Prensa.com.
Growing by 10% a year as Panama is currently doing is energy intensive, meaning that the demand for rental generators is constantly growing.
Project developers, subcontractors and promoters of artistic events require power permanently and this is where companies that rent electricity generators come in, providing a compliment to the traditional distribution system.
The state has extended the lease on the Aggreko power plants until October.
Low levels in reservoirs and the postponement in the start of operations of the AES Changuinloa hydroelectric plant until September, have led to the extension of the lease.
"The original contract for one year costs $55.5 million and expired in March, but the Cabinet approved a three month addendum that expires in June at a cost of $14 million", noted an article in Prensa.com, "with the extension of the contract, another $14 million would probably have to be paid."