May 7th is the deadline for submitting bids in the initial tender for 350 MW, while a second opportunity, also for 350 MW, is scheduled for August 6.

The first auction scheduled for May, includes the supply of energy from July 1, 2017 until June 30, 2027, to cover about 25% of current demand. In total 700 MW will be tendered , and the second tender, scheduled for August, will cover another 25% of the country’s energy demand.

Prensa.com reports that “… These two tenders are the largest that have been made in recent years. 700 MW is roughly equivalent to 50% of current demand of the system which was recorded last week at 1,535 MW. In one of the points of the specification it states that ‘reconditioned or similar units will not be accepted’ because they are looking to hire companies with new and efficient equipment in order to achieve lower electricity prices.”

Meanwhile, Ivan Barria, Etesa’s manager, added that “… There have been more transparent tenders and promotion of the participation of companies. Public events are transmitted over the Internet, through the site www.etesa.com.pa.”