Besides agriculture, Chiriqui’s biggest economic generator is the hydro electric power industry which is growing rapidly. With it comes the need for increased distribution systems.

The expansion program of the electrical system in Panama foresees investments from Empresa de Transmisión Eléctrica S.A. of $483 million over the next eight years.

“Of this total, $395 million, or 81%, will be spent between 2013 and 2016. Included in this period is the construction of a third power transmission line from the Chiriqui province, to the capital city,” reported Prensa.com.

According to Marianela Herrera, deputy manager of Empresa de Transmisión Eléctrica S.A. (Etesa), the new 230 kilowatt line will cost $146 million and will increase power transmission capacity by 800 MW.

The project will begin in the Veladero community, province of Chiriquí, passing through the area of ??Llano Sanchez, Cocle and La Chorrera, reaching the Panama II Substation. The third line will be dual circuit, will have an individual capacity of 400 MW and will begin operations in mid-2016.

The expansion plan, which has been approved by the Public Services Authority (ASEP), states that new projects will be financed with the company’s own resources and funding from local authorities, without specifying the amount that the state will have to contribute.

Source: Prensa.com