Hydroelectricity nears major boost in Panama

A $1 billion dollar investment in hydroelectricity in Panama will start to pay off this year for producers and consumers.

Seven new plants  in the final stages of construction will add. 432 megawatts to the grid boosting the country’s hydro output to 1,114 megawatts, covering 90 percent of current demand.

Panama's existing hydro plants currently produce 682 megawatts at peak times of productionof which 560 megawatts come from Fortuna and Bayano.

 The largest  new generator is the Chan 75 project constructed by AES Panama. It has a capacity of 223 megawatts which  alone will boost Panama’s electrical output by 15 percent.