utilities

Power projects on schedule

Three electric plants are expected to become operational this year, providing enough power to supply 70,000 customers.

One of those plants has already started producing 36 megawatts of electricity. The plant, owned by the Autoridad del Canal de Panama, started production in January.

In June, a hydroelectric plant generating 10 megwatts of power will become operational.

A plant being built by Bahía Las Minas and Suez Energy Central America is expected to be the largest new contributor to Panama's power supply. That plant will generate 45 megawatts.

Philippe Delmotte, general manager of Bahía Las Minas, said that the plant's construction is on schedule, and should be ready by August. That plant was ordered last year when Panama's power companies realized that demand was quickly approaching the system's maximum capacity.

Last year the country experienced shortages in the dry season, when hydroelectric production drops. Officials do not expect there to be shortages this year as the lakes supplying the country's hydroelectric projects are full.