Panama has officially reconfirmed that it will launch two major competitive bidding processes during the upcoming years. Consequently, the government is preparing two crucial Panama energy tenders slated for 2027. This decision aims to strengthen the national electrical network without putting upward pressure on consumer tariffs. The SNE Secretary announced this long-term strategy during the opening of the Energyear Centroamerica 2026 forum in Panama City. Therefore, the authorities want to ensure that international investors have plenty of time to prepare structured proposals. The official documents and rules will be presented in November or December of this year.
Prioritizing Battery Energy Storage for Grid Flexibility
First and foremost, the planned processes will introduce a groundbreaking technical priority for the country. The upcoming initiatives will actively integrate advanced battery energy storage into the bidding structures. In previous years, similar attempts to deploy this technology failed due to the lack of a proper regulatory framework. However, the energy regulator ASEP has now approved rules that allow these installations to connect directly to the main transmission lines. As a result, adding BESS systems will dramatically improve grid flexibility. This technological addition will help manage electricity during peak demand hours, ensuring that power remains reliable and affordable for all final consumers.
Advancing Renewable Energy Integration Under SNE Guidance
Furthermore, the new strategy directly supports clean power incorporation across the territory. Energy Secretary Rodrigo Rodriguez explained that the government is carefully reviewing power and capacity requirements. The ultimate goal is to facilitate smoother renewable energy integration as more wind and solar plants connect to the grid. In addition, the administration still needs to decide if these BESS systems will compete as independent assets or if they must pair with green energy projects. This ongoing planning process builds upon two successfully awarded bids from earlier in 2026. Ultimately, these calculated steps will attract substantial foreign capital while guaranteeing a modernized, highly flexible electrical infrastructure.
