Panama has a energy problem. This is nothing new, but it is something that the government and people of Panama have been aware of for quite some time now. The trouble, which is also a good sign of growth, is that the demand for power is rapidly outgrowing the supply. Most of this demand comes from the city, but with Panama’s national power grids not prepared for such rapid growth, it could become a national crisis unless demand is met quickly. This is why Panama is working hard to not only provide a newer, more efficient grid, but also better sources of clean, renewable energy. This is where wind and solar power come into play.
Panama’s Push for Green Energy
It’s no secret that the Panamanian government has been pushing for clean, renewable energy sources for a while now. Currently, almost all of Panama’s power comes from hydroelectric plants, with a new, massive one under construction (albeit with major delays and setbacks). Now, they are setting their sights on solar energy as a reliable, sustainable solution. All with the help of an Italian company called Enel Green Power.
Enel Green Power Steps Up to the Plate
Earlier this week, Enel announced that they had brought the first solar power plant online in Panama, in the western province of Chiriqui. The plant will generate a significant amount of solar energy, which in turn will be sold to the existing Fortuna hydroelectric plant for distribution throughout the country.
According to a statement made by Enel, “With a total installed capacity of 12 MW, the new plant can generate over 19 GWh per year, equivalent to the annual power consumption needs of more than 16,000 local households, and will therefore avoid the emission of around 15,000 tons of CO2 into the atmosphere each year.”
How the Power Will be Distributed
In order for the solar power to reach the areas of high demand, it needs to be distributed through Panama’s existing power grid. This is no easy feat considering that Chiriqui is a few hundred miles away from the main area of demand, Panama City and its suburbs. Panama’s Fortuna power plant, which sits roughly 25 miles west of the city, will be the main distributor. Enel currently runs about 300 megawatts of energy through Fortuna, and its new solar source will simply augment this as a reserve, specifically to be used during the dry summer months.
Typically, when the dry season occurs in Panama, power sources dwindle due to lack of water for the hydroelectric plant. Adding solar power as a source, will balance this, especially because these months are so sunny.
Why Going Green is Critical to Panama’s Growth
One of the biggest drawbacks of developing cities, and developing countries in general, is the negative carbon footprint they tend to produce. And while rapid infrastructure growth is positive, if not monitored correctly, it can do serious damage to the local environment. Panama is a great case study in this, as it’s one of the most bio diverse countries in the world, and has some of the largest amounts of tropical rainforest per square mile as anywhere on the planet. Meeting the energy demand in a way that puts out clean waste is critical in Panama’s growth target as a modern, efficient city. It’s also cheaper in the long run, as solar, water, and wind power use natural resources rather than limited fossil fuels to power the country.
Panama’s green future looks bright, as long as these types of projects are pushed to the forefront as not only a reserve power supply, but as the main source of energy for the nation. Panama now has the opportunity to be a leader in clean emissions and energy. The question is, will they go the distance?
