Panama facing red power alert

PANAMA is facing a red power alert as production and delivery of electric power falls short during the current dry season.

Although the private sector will help with the use of plants installed in businesses and industries during times of peak energy demand in the country, the alert in the Panamanian electricity generation market holds for the dry season.

The uncertainty lies, first, in the Fortuna and Bayano reservoirs which are below the historical level , and on the other , some of the thermal generators have had operational problems , including Caribbean Chill , with 50 megawatts of capacity, which has filed for bankruptcy, reports la Prensa
The Ministry of Energy bets on plants that were rented, but they are currently being installed and will not be available until April.
They will also seek the importation of up to 70 megawatts of Central American power combined with energy saving measures.
Another constraint facing the system is the lack of transmission lines to transport electricity from the point where it is generated, to consumption centers in the capital city. Of more than 2000 installed megawatts, more than half is in Chiriqui.
Although the construction of the line has already been awarded to a company, it will not will into operation until 2016. Panama could be looking forward to a couple of long hot summers.
Last year emergency measures included the dousing of electric display signs and snitch patrols to enforce compliance by businesses and stores. The use of air conditioners in businesses was restricted to certain hours of the day.