According to the prediction of utility regulator of Panama, the country will be adding 31 hydroelectric projects of some1, 047 MW within the year 2013. Asep, which stands for Autoridad Nacional de los Servicios Publicos, said that fifteen of total projects are still under construction, while the remaining sixteen are almost done and are in their final state. According to agency, the investment in the projects is approx. US$2 billion, which is without doubt an immense investment that has encouraged the Panama economy to a great extent. Asep states, “It’s quite good to know that the market is growing as they can meet demand in next couple of years to come.” “Current installed capacity of Panama is 1,663 MV, compared to the peak demand of 1,120 MW”, Asep added. By 2013, the total demand expected is around 1,373 MW. Barring unexpected setbacks, Asep forecasted June 22, 2009, that total 3 projects of 15 MW would be added on the line in the year 2009, 7 projects of 97 MW in the year 2010, 8 projects of 364 MW in the year 2011, 11 projects of 538 MW in the year 2012, and lastly, 2 projects of some 33 MW in the year 2013.

Among the recent hydropower activities in Panama, the EIB (European Investment Bank) state that it is considering offers to the fund construction of the 29-MW Barro Blanco hydroelectric project on the Tabasara River (Hydro World 5/29/09) and the three-plant, 115-MW Los Mares hydroelectric complex on the Chiriqui River. In February, LLC, an equipment supplier Corp. based in Russia, announced a contract of supplying electro-mechanical tools to the 85-MW Baitun hydroelectric project that is to be undergone on the River of Chiriqui Viejo, while Generadora Pedregalito S.A. made a contract to choose the Chico River for constructing the 20-MW Pedregalito hydroelectric project. Recently, Suez Energy Central America is continuing the construction of the 57.4-MW Prudencia, 34.8-MW Lorena, and 26-MW Gualaca projects in the Chiriqui River.