Santa Rosa Electrification Project Halted Due to Funding Shortage

The electrification project for the Santa Rosa district has been paralyzed for over three months. Juquincito Rodríguez, representative of this jurisdiction, reported this. He noted that a rapid response from the central government is needed to continue the project, as it is a priority necessity for these communities. Part of this electrical network also benefits the communities of Tres, in the Cirí de los Sotos district. The reason for this paralysis is the lack of funding from the central government, Rodríguez said. Santa Rosa resident Confesor González admits to being concerned about the delay in completing the electrification project, although he claims to be unaware of the reasons for the suspension of the work. According to Rodríguez, 4,000 people are awaiting the future of this electrification project, which is already 75% complete. In the Capira district of West Panama province, the electrical network runs through the villages of the Santa Rosa district; however, the inhabitants still depend on kerosene, battery lanterns, and makeshift photovoltaic systems. While the work is being completed, he, like other families, relies on the solar panels that the Panama Canal Authority (ACP) delivered to a group of residents in 2013, González reported. González assures that many families have stopped using solar panels and opt for traditional systems to light up at night. "But the community is restless. It is approximately 18 kilometers of electrical wiring from the Arenas Blancas village, crossing the communities of Ahogado Centro, Santa Rosa #1 and #2, Altos del Limón, and Claras Abajo. Although it is expected to be included in the 2026 budget, which has already been requested through several notes. However, after 13 years, the performance of the storage batteries of the panels is minimal, and the investment in a cheap energy accumulator exceeds $100.