The Panamanian government presented a long-term electricity bidding plan aimed at guaranteeing the country's supply and reducing exposure to the spot market through fixed-price contracts. These contracts will cover renewable energy, backup with thermal plants, and the reconversion of existing units, executed by ETESA with the approval of ASEP and following public policy guidelines from the Ministry of Energy. According to the Minister of Energy, Rodrigo Rodríguez J., the four planned tenders — two in 2026, one in 2027, and another in 2028 — are part of a process that seeks to ensure tariff stability, operational security of the system, and less exposure to market volatility. “What we seek is stability for regulated users,” he explained, stating that the design is based on technical criteria, not on ad-hoc decisions. Asked about a possible export of the contracted energy, Rodríguez was clear that the destination is internal. “The goal is to guarantee reliability, coverage, and a positive impact on the tariff, without improvisations,” he concluded. The first tender, 01-25, scheduled for March, includes twenty-year contracts for new wind and hydroelectric projects. Its main objectives are to ensure the reliability and security of the system, as well as economic efficiency and a direct effect on the sustainability of electricity sector tariffs. The Ministry of Energy indicated that these processes are in line with energy planning and defined public policy objectives. “We cannot continue to bet on the spot market. It is volatile.”
