Panama wind power capacity to jump 25% by year-end

Commercial operation of Parque Eólico Toabré’s 66MW first phase of the 110MW Toabré wind farm in Panama is due to begin in the fourth quarter.

The project update follows approval by public services regulator Asep of a request by the wind developer to set October 31 as the new official start deadline.

The company highlighted that it was unable to meet the previous deadline of May 30 this year, due to high summer winds which prevented test operations of the last two of the 20 turbines.

Construction of the first phase was completed in November and testing was expected to last through April 13. Testing will now run through July 15.

The 66MW will boost the country’s installed wind power generation capacity by 25% to 336MW.

Current production from this renewable comes from operators UEP Penonomé I (55MW) and UEP Penonomé II (215MW), which are controlled by AES and InterEnergy, respectively.

The start of construction of Toabré’s phases two and three – each 22MW – is penciled in for 2023 and 2029, and commercial operations in 2024 and 2032, respectively. 

Parque Eólico Toabré also holds a definitive concession for the 105MW Antón wind project.

Meanwhile, Asep extended Inversiones M&J’s provisional concession for the 160MW Tramontana wind project to May 25, 2023 from the last deadline, which had been a year earlier.

Inversiones M&J requested the additional time on grounds that the environment ministry’s protected areas and biodiversity office has not issued a decision regarding the project’s environmental viability, as inspections have not been able to be conducted due to COVID-19 and hurricanes Eta and Iota, among other factors.

Wind accounts for 7% of the Central American nation’s installed power generation capacity.

[insight#260217540]

State power transmission company Etesa’s proposed 2020-34 expansion plan for the national interconnected system (PESIN) envisions the addition of around 500MW from wind.

For a look at other proposed wind farms in Panama in the early development stage, go to the BNamericas Project Profiles.

Also read Permitting begins for US$130mn Panama wind project