Panama Lacks Firm Direction for Energy


News from Panama / Thursday, July 30th, 2015

barro blanco

Lack of effective government action is preventing the creation of a state policy in line with socio-economic development, while the conflict in Barro Blanco, the Hydroelectric moratorium in Chiriqui, and the suspension of wind and solar licenses, alarms investors.

From a statement issued by the Chamber of Commerce, Industries and Agriculture of Panama (CCIAP):

ENERGY AND DEVELOPMENT GO HAND IN HAND

We are concerned about the situation of the energy sector in our country, which is suffering from the ravages of nature and lack of effective action by the different government administrations to achieve a state policy in line with socio-economic development.

On the one hand, we are not certain of the intensity of the phenomenon of El NiƱo, which threatens our water capacity, affecting not only hydroelectric stations which generate over 60% of our energy, but also, and drastically, agricultural production in Azuero; and which could force the Panama Canal to implement a contingency plan to cope with drought.