Panama city large capacity energy storage battery

What is Panama's power system like in 2017?

In 2017, Panama’s power system had very large installed hydropower capacity (54% of total capacity) and substantial VRE capacity (45.3%). The generation breakdown was 64% renewable energy (36% run-of-river hydro, 18% reservoir hydro, 8% wind, 2% solar photovoltaics (PV)) and 36% thermal generation (29% oil and 7% coal).

How much PV capacity does Panama have in 2023?

It said that if the review calls for changes to current legislation, it will make adjustments after extensive consultation with the electricity sector. According to the latest statistics from the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA), Panama had around 570 MW of installed PV capacity at the end of 2023.

How much energy does Panama need?

Panama expects total energy demand to more than double between 2017 and 2030 (+113%), with peak demand growing from 1.6 GW to 3.5 GW. Panama is currently connected to Costa Rica via a 300 MW transmission line. A 400 MW high-voltage direct current (HVDC) interconnector with Colombia is expected to be commissioned by 2022.

Does Panama need a cross-border electricity market?

In the absence of a cross-border electricity market, this interconnection was modelled assuming that Panama imports energy from Colombia at the high price of USD 200 per megawatt-hour (MWh). Because imports are likely the most expensive source of electricity, they will be required only if Panama’s internal generation mix is unable to meet demand.

Are solar PV and battery storage optimum investments?

In the renewables scenario, an additional 1.7 GW of solar PV and 164 MW (82 MWh) of battery storage are identified as optimal under current assumptions (reaching a 69% renewable energy share), while no further cost-eficient investments in wind power have been identified. Additional investments beyond the identified optimum were also analysed.

Will Panama's power system handle a higher penetration of VRE?

Table 3 presents the values of these indicators for the 2030 renewables scenario with an optimised generation capacity mix. Panama’s power system would still have enough flexibility to handle even higher penetration of VRE, as seen in the 2030 renewables scenario with investments.