Under water power transmission plans

THE UPCOMING electrical interconnection project between Panama and Colombia may include a 130 km stretch of undersea cable.

The Ministry of the Environment is currently evaluating support studies done for the proposal.

The interconnection project will cost approximately $450 million. Representatives of the Panamanian company Etesa and the Colombian company ISA have been meeting monthly to discuss the project.

The latest proposal includes 500 kilometers of electrical lines, of which 130 kilometers would be under the ocean.

Colombia authorities have already approved the plan, which would route the line under the Gulf of Uraba. The marine route is expected to be  more environmentally friendly, as the alternative is routing the cable through the Darién.

In addition to the approval of state entities, the line would also need the approval of the  indigenous communities that the line would pass through.

The line would have the capacity to transmit up to 400 megawatts of power. It is expected to lower electricity costs by creating more competition and optimize resources in the region.