This is an impressive sight and it brings with it clean energy to Panama. Chan 1 will be joined by a sister project, Chan 2 in Bocas del Toro. Right now in Panama the amount of ongoing investment in hydropower projects adds up to $1 billion , 95% of which are in Chiriqui and Bocas del Toro.
In the provinces of Chiriqui, Bocas del Toro, Veraguas, Cocle Colon 18 hydroelectric plants are being built, said the National Authority of Public Services (ASEP).
Between 2013-14 8 new plants will join the system that together will generate 203 megawatts over the next two years. “In the second half of the year the power stations Mendres 2 and Perlas Sur should enter the system, while next year six other projects should become operational including Montelirio, which will produce 52 megawatts. The other projects will be ready after 2015 “, reported Prensa.com.
According to Fernando Vargas, head of the Environmental Management Unit of the ASEP, for the time being 19 concession projects are in their final stages and another 34 are in process.
One of those is Chan II in Bocas del Toro to be developed by the Empresa de Generación Eléctrica (Egesa), after the ASEP cancelled the concession of AES Panama. Vargas said Egesa could join with another company for the development of the work but must first get the final award.
Source: Prensa.com
Another great (little) article. Thanks Tom.
But…I wonder if your readers know, or even care, about
“the story behind the story” here.
E.g. WHY are there so many “hydro-electric concession projects”?
And WHY are they mostly SO small ? Hence, why the power outages ?
Hmmm…could it possibly be connected to the question: Why does
Carlos Slim have so many of these concessions….AND not really that
interested in developing them ? And what about those “green credits”
these huge energy developers can capitalize on ?
Hmmm….
K