While the indigenous people here in Panama have protested the expansion of hydro electric power plants in Panama, the fact is that we are in need of expanding this venue if we are to keep up with the ever increasing demand.  It is clean, reliable and inexpensive compared to fossil fuel thermo powered plants.  It also makes sense from a carbon displacement perspective and it is not the monster lake creators people often think of.  Most are run of the river that collect and return the water to the river.

In 2012, Panamanians will consume 1,286.5 MW of electricity, just 34 MW less than the installed capacity.

The trend towards increased consumption of electricity in Panama continues and has led to a situation where demand is about to exceed the available supply.

According to estimates by the Ministry of Energy, in 2012 Panamanians will consume a total of 1,286.5 MW of power, an increase of 5.8% compared to the previous year. However, the net power – the energy available to consumers – is only 1,320.5 MW, just 34.1 MW ahead of demand.

“According to indicators from the National Secretariat of Energy, the installed capacity (amount of power that generators have the potential to produce) is 2,321.6 MW, however firm power (what is actually generated) is 1,668.7 MW, but external factors such as energy loss in transmission cause about 348 MW to be lost,” reports Panamaamerica.com.pa.

The director of the Chamber of Commerce Energy Committee, Ivan Barria, said that building more hydropower plants could resolve the situation without increasing dependence on thermal sources.

Source: Panamaamerica.com.pa