Panama. Construction began on the so-called largest wind farm in the Central American region, which has an investment of US$445 million.
The project will have an installed capacity of 220 megawatts and will have a clean energy supply capacity for around 600,000 people. During its first year of operation, it is estimated that it will cover 7% of the total energy of all of Panama.
The Spanish company Unión Eólica Panameña executes the project and its general director, Rafael Pérez Pire, commented that the initial works will be ready by the end of 2013, while for the beginning of 2014 the start of operations is budgeted.
The leader stressed that 75% of the energy will be produced in the summer season, which will facilitate water savings during the dry period, minimizing the use of fossil fuels. Likewise, Panama will reduce the use of 145,000 tons of oil per year and 450,000 tons of CO2 to the environment.
The wind farm will be located in the Penonomé region, about 175 kilometers west of Panama.
