The National Authority of Public Services (ASEP) reported on the inclusion of a team of experts in the investigation of the recent blackout in Panama. The incident occurred between the night of Saturday, March 15, and the early morning of Sunday, March 16.
Zelmar Rodríguez Crespo, general administrator of ASEP, highlighted the importance of clarifying the events to determine the cause of the explosion at the Pan-Am thermal power plant, the reason for the collapse of the electrical system that resulted in the national blackout, and the cause of the delay in the restoration of service.
During a meeting with her work team, Rodríguez Crespo emphasized the need to conduct a thorough investigation before reaching conclusions. The report from the National Directorate of Safety, Prevention and Fire Investigation (DINASEPI) of the Honorable Fire Corps of the Republic of Panama is expected as part of the analysis of the facts.
ASEP has the capacity to impose fines ranging from B/.1,000 to B/.20 million, depending on the severity of the case, once the sanctioning process is completed. The entity is committed to clarifying what happened and determining responsibilities.
Rodríguez Crespo visited the Pan-Am thermal power plant in La Chorrera, Panama West province, to closely learn about the preliminary details of the incident. The investigation is ongoing with the collaboration of experts and specialized agencies to understand the behavior of the electrical system during the incident.
