Firm capacity tweak in the offing in Panama

Energy security in Panama would improve with a systematic approach to calculating firm capacity versus the current methodology, under which power plants are analyzed individually.

So reads a final report prepared by Consorcio Mercados Energéticos-PSR for public services regulator ASEP on a revision of the firm capacity calculation of plants connected to the national interconnected grid.

The current model assumes there is system backup if a plant is not available, while the proposed change would determine the contribution of each plant to the grid as a whole, according to study.

The authors highlight the startup of large and highly efficient natural gas-fired plants, which could impact service quality if they go offline due to unplanned/planned contingencies, even if their unavailability rates are very low.

A systematic analysis would also help determine the contribution of non-conventional renewable energies, such as wind and solar, adds the report.

Another area pointed to by the consultants is Panama’s power trade with neighboring countries, which the experts expect will be a “relevant issue” in the coming years regarding firm capacity, to the extent that transmission restrictions ease in the country.

ASEP will accept comment on the final report and related documents, available here, through March 18.