Panama's Private Sector
Not Interested In
Developing The Nation's
Geothermal Resources
Despite an estimated
potential of 400,000
kilowatt of electricity
that can be generated
from Panama's geothermal
resource, there are few
takers from the private
sector. The state is
concentrating on hydro
resources, while wind
power generation is
attracting more
companies.
Rafael de Gracia, power
director of Asep,
Panama's public services
regulator, disclosed
that three studies were
undertaken in the past
but it had yielded zero
investors.
The studies go back to
1971 when the Instituto
de Recursos
Hidroelectricos
initiated studies into
the nation's geothermal
power potential.
Subsequent studies were
done in 1981 and 1983
which identified five
sites as potential
geothermal fields. These
are the Anton Valley,
Chita-Calobre, Tonosi,
Isla de Coiba and Baru
Colorado. More studies
were carried out from
1986 to 1992, de Gracia
disclosed.
Even the state is
concentrating on
Panama's hydroelectric
generation potentials.
According to Etesa, the
state-owned power
transmission firm,
Panama's hydroelectric
generation potential
including existing
systems is 3.69
gigawatts.
Meanwhile, 19 companies
have applied for
licenses to build wind
power generation plants.
Panama's wind power
generation potential is
from 100 megawatts to
300 megawatts, de Gracia
said. |
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