Rendering of the 380 MW natural gas plant being built by AES in Colon, Panama, which is currently 30% complete and the start of operations remains scheduled for 2018.

The plant, whose construction started in May last year, will have three generators, three gas turbines and one steam turbine, reaching a total installed capacity of 381 MW.

Prensa.com reports that “…Among the civil works that have already been completed, are the foundations of the first two generating units, pile-driving and soil improvement works, executed according to the geotechnical conditions of Colon. As another milestone, the company said that it has now finished strengthening the ground with more than 200 thousand steel piles placed in the construction area for the gas storage tank and it has also completed dredging works.”

The project is being financed with a syndicated loan from the CABEI, Banistmo, Bancolombia and other banks.

Through its subsidiary Gas Natural Atlantic, AES Corporation won the contract to supply power for 10 years starting from 2018, after submitting the lowest price among 27 bidders.