Panama Electric Grid Hit 80 % In February
Mar 3rd, 2007 by Don Ray
La Pensa reported yesterday that the electric grid for Panama reached a record 80% on FebruaryWith all the construction going on in Panama City and throughout Panama, that raises concerns for the grid being able to meet future demands.
It was interesting to see the distribution of energy usage in Panama.
Panama center consumes 62.8% of the energy of the national territory; the central counties, 9%; Panama west, 8.2%; Columbus, 8.2; and Chiriquí, 7.4%. The trade consume 43% of the energy; the residences, 30%; the industry, 8%; and the public sector consumes the rest, near 19%.
And no big surprise that 60% of all usage in Panama is for air-conditioning.
We are just lucky that we don’t have a large number of Al Gore’s consuming much higher than the national average. Or do we?
Don, if the article says that air conditioning accounts for 60% of all energy usage in the country, I am surprised. But if residences account for only 30% of usage, and AC is 60% of that, residential AC would account for 18% of total usage. The “Al Gores” of Panama would not seem to account for most of the problem with respect to consumption. I do think, however, that people need to start thinking about alternative sources and ways of conserving energy, because the supply does not look to be keeping up with demand.
Hi Gordo - I agree. I think that most residents are pretty cautious in Panama. That is the reason that most only put AC in the bedrooms and rarely in a large area of the house.
However with the large number of new skyscrapers being built in PC, I wonder what is going to happen. I bet many will be occupied with people that want to run AC in the entire condo. I think the problem has the potential of getting worse.
I’m wondering if there might not be some entrepreneurial types in the Panama/Costa Rica area looking into providing some alternative energy sources for residences, maybe solar hot water systems, groundwater-based heat pumps, windmills, and the like. If you think about the katabatic-type winds coming off the mountains and the amount of energy available from them, you could be forgiven for thinking there might be some business to be had there. Of course, using the traditional open window cooling is probably the best technology at hand, but it could probably be supplemented through some creative work. Hmmm.
I just spent 3 weeks in Panama City and if anybody even dared to turn down my AC…they would have had a broken finger! Man it was way freakin hot day and night! But I sure had a great time! Can’t wait to go back.
Frank - There are some alternative energy companies here but I don’t know how expensive they are or how well they are received.
SE- 3 weeks in Panama City. That explains the lack of comments! I was beginning to get worried about you. Had I known you were in PC, I would have been worried about the local Panamanians.
The only gripe I have is “Rojos Diablos”! If I was dictator for a day I would have personally executed every bus driver in Panama City! Those rolling train wrecks need to GO!
You guys worried about the electricity? Heck I worried about being squashed like a bug!
I am surprised, frankly, that there is concern for electricity use in Panama. If the country encourages new immigrants, or aliens, then I am guessing they must have a forecast for increased energy use. I would think the water flushed in and out of the canal could be harnessed to generate more electricity and that happens daily.
SE - I thought they had implemented some new regulations got the buses. I guess they haven’t had much effect.
Abe - To have a forecast would imply you had a plan. From what i have seen, most things happen after the fact not before.
The last time I heard… ALL the Doom and Gloomers where predicting that Las Vegas would dry up for lack of water! Hmm seems to me they have been saying that for at least 75 years! Come to think of it they also said that about LA and Phoenix too. Last time I check all these cities were BOOMING. Panama will continue to grow…if the government continues to promote and encourages business. They will solve there infrastructure problems, they seem to be on the right course, not like Hugo Chavez who is a cry baby and took his ball and went home, because his people are too stupid to compete in the Olympics of business!
All gloom and doom aside, I think it’s important to recognize the political realities in Panama, then act accordingly. One need only look at the recent water shortages in Boquete, Bocas, and elsewhere to see that infrastructure problems and shortages in Panama are often not addressed in a timely fashion.
Thanks Gordo. It is better to prepare for the worst and be happy if your preparation was not completely needed. Around here, I don’t think you can be too prepared.
Let me ask you this: could this problem with infrastructure also be related to a problem with local unions? I read all the time on panama guide how various unions…who hate change, except when its comes to the size of their paychecks are holding business projects and the public hostage in Panama?
I really don’t think unions have anything to do with the problem.