Panama power crisis looming

PANAMA is facing another potential power crisis as hydro generation could fall below demand due to lack of of water in the main reservoirs.

Fortuna, located in Chiriquí, was just six feet above its minimum level and Bayano , east of the province of Panama , 3.7 meters more than the minimum level, which it is expected to possibly reach in 14 days

Based on the daily report of operations of the National Dispatch Center, hydropower contributing 37% of the energy consumed in the country, resulting in a dramatic drop if the hydroelectric operation is suspended.
The private sector, has asked the government to take similar measures as last year to avoid power cuts Despite the call to the private sector to implement measures of self-sufficiency, many companies and industries have not complied because the government has not declared a crisis.
Employers asking for measures to requiring diesel generators to operate private plants They also ask that the level of energy imports from Central America be increased