energy

Wind power coming

Two companies are hoping to use the wind to begin making a contribution to Panama's power supply in 2009.

Enrilews and Santa Fe Energy are both hoping to build wind farms in Panama.

Enrilews officials said that, after studying eight potential sites, they have identified Coclé and La Chorrera as the two that are most viable.

The company, which consists of Spanish investors, is now awaiting approval of an environmental impact study. It hopes to begin providing up to 400 megawatts of energy.

Sante Fe Energy is also hoping to be up and running next year. That company is planning to build a plant in Veraguas that would generate 81 megawatts in its first phase.

"We are ready to begin installing windmills," said President Roberto A. Moreno.

There are still some regulatory and practical issues that need to be sorted, however, before any of the windmills start turning.

One of those issues is how the companies will tie into Panama's electric grid.

Autoridad Nacional de los Servicios Públicos (Asep) Director Víctor Urrutia said that wind power, unlike other sources, is not a steady source of electricity. Thus the projects need to be hooked up with a separate power generator, such as a thermal power plant, that can provide power on days when there is no wind.