Wind Energy

Wind energy in Panama: allocated the first wind farm

Wind energy will make its debut at the Panamanian electric system with the first purchase of 121 MW from Unión Eólica Panameña, which should take between 2014 and 2028.

Unión Eólica Panameña presented four proposals and tenders against Panama SA Energy Hellium that extended two offers, and Inno Vent Fersa Central America and Panama SA SA, which gave one each, linked to consortia of Spain.

The base price of the bid was $ 0.11 per kWh, said Fernando Marciscano, manager of the Electric Transmission Company (ETESA), who regulated the purchase contract to local distributors, which were offered $ 0.12 to $ 0 , 09 kWh.

Panamanian Wind Union won the bid with the four bids submitted in combination, as stated in the resolution and bring ETESA kWh from $ 0.09 to $ 0.11.

Of the 121 MW initially require the country, the company will sell the $ 90.58 MWh. Currently the offered MWh is at an average of $ 101 from hydro and more expensive from thermal oil.

Rafael Perez, CEO of Panamanian Wind Union stated that, "the award represents a significant milestone for the country, and that Panamanians will have wind power at a cost of $ 0.10 per kWh for the summer or half the price of electricity supply in the market at that time of year. "

Wind Union Panamanian invest some $ 300 million in the generation of 121 MW bid, have wind towers on the plains of Cocle and take four years in the country.

Meanwhile, Fersa Panama SA where its president, Jose Roger traveled to Panama from Spain to see the bidding, challenged the participation of Panamanian Wind Union in the first tender. But the authorities rejected the request.

According to documents available at ETESA website, Fersa Panama offer the kilowatt hour bid at $ 0.10, Inno Vent Central America, SA at $ 0.10, Energy Hellium Panama SA at $ 0.12 and $ 0.11. Being the most economical kWh Union Panamanian Wind at $ 0.09.

Marciscano ETESA manager, said that for Panama early studies show that the country would need about 250 MW of wind power plants with a possible expansion of 120 MW, depending on the development of individual wind farms. He noted that the same ‘impact more fees. because it seeks to move a little to the heat which is based fuels and the price of crude subsceptibles’.

By José Santamarta, www.evwind.com