Wind energy remains one of the most vastly expanding ways of power generation in Panama. During the first months of the 2016, the production increased by 11.1%.
The total power generation during the first five months of 2016 increased by 457.7 million kilowatt. At the same time, wind farms are responsible for 434.8 million kilowatt increase, which means that 95% of the growth is a result of the wind power plant expansion.
Sustainable energy
According to the Comptroller General of Panama, during the period from January to May of 2015 there were 167.8 million kilowatt generated by wind farms. The same figure for 2016 period represents a 259.1% growth – 602.6 million kilowatt.
The wind farm called Laudato-Si is located near the village of El Coco, not far from Penonome town. Here one may look at this magnificent view of hundreds of the wind towers with blades generating the energy. This is the first wind farm in Panama and largest in Central America.
In the first five months of the year, 13% of all power in Panama was wind kind, representing a major change in the production structure of this market.
Solar power is another type of energy generation expanding rapidly in Panama. The production increased by 3,793% in just less than one and a half year, from 0.5 million to 19.3 million kilowatt.
Consumption
Regarding the consumption, the figures of the Comptroller General concludes that 46% energy demand is commercial, 32% is household, 13% state institutions and the rest 3% is consumed by the industry.
The energy consumption increases mostly due to the economy growth and changing climate. It is important that Panama increases the share of the sustainable energy in total production, that way the country will remain rather independent on the conventional energy sources.
