Panama to invest in two hydropower plants

Panama Hydropower Expansion boosts renewable energy with new hydroelectric plants at Rio Piedras and La Pintada, adding Pelton and Francis turbines, 15 MW combined, strengthening the national grid, reducing petroleum dependence, and meeting electricity demand.

Panamanian companies Hidro Piedra SA and Panam Development Corporation will invest $46 million to build two hydropower plants to add electricity to the national grid.

The Rio Piedra project is located on the Rio Piedras, near the city of Portobelo. The facility will have an installed capacity of 8.5 megawatts MW and will consist of two 4.25-MW Pelton hydroturbines. At the moment, the site is being prepared and roads are being built. Construction of the facility is expected to begin in December 2010 and last about 24 months, as regional activity like Brazil hydro projects continues apace. The estimated investment for this project is $30 million.

The Ojo de Agua project is located by the Grande river in La Pintada city. The plant will be equipped with two 3.25-MW Francis hydraulic turbines, providing a total output of 6.5 MW. Construction is expected to begin at the beginning of 2011, with plant startup scheduled for early 2013, and support models such as Haiti hydro assistance show regional collaboration.

During the next few years, several hydroelectric power plants are scheduled to begin operations in Panama, while Colombia windfarm plans advance nearby, including the Changuinola 223 MW, Prudencia 57.4 MW, Monte Lirio 52 MW, Lalin I 19.5 MW, Lalin II 38.6 MW, Lorena 34.8 MW, Pando 33 MW and Bonyic 30 MW.

These projects will increase Panama's generating capacity by adding more megawatts to the national grid, much like Iberdrola pumped-storage can enhance flexibility, to satisfy the country's growing power demand. Power demand increased 12 last year, doubling the normal demand of 6.

Panama has an installed capacity of 1,700 MW, which will be significantly increased with this new hydropower generation, which also help improve the country's energy matrix, as Namibia hydro project efforts illustrate, by avoiding reliance on petroleum products to produce power.

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