Business leader warns of Panama energy crisis

PANAMA is in the midst of an energy “crisis” that people seem to be unaware of says a leading business association. Government authorities have negated talk of a “crisis”.

Panama Business Executives (Apede) President Fernando Aramburu Porras said Friday, October 21, that the country is experiencing an energy crisis due to a lack of rain to power hydro projects.

"We definitely have a crisis because the lakes are falling and we just lost one of the most modern and efficient plants we had," he said.
Aramburu Porras explained that the population seems to be unaware of this situation.
"It has not reacted, but if the lakes continue to go down, there will have to be energy rationing," he said.
The problem says Porras – is that there is not enough capacity to generate power in the dry season.
He said the next government should address this issue, since it will impact the future growth of the country.