The Panamanian government has initiated a long-term electricity contracting process to ensure the reliability and security of the national energy system. Existing plants will be offered 10-year contracts for both energy and power. Additionally, a 12-year block of contracts for the reconversion of thermal power plants will be introduced, aiming to create sufficient thermal backup to provide reliability and security to the system against any event. "The system needs flexibility, and these plants have that response capacity," stated the authority. Furthermore, an opportunity will be created for non-reconverted thermal plants to provide operational backup to the system under regulated conditions. Seven renewable energy generation companies participated in the bidding process for the 'Long-Term Contract for the Firm Supply of Power and Energy Exclusively for New Hydroelectric and Wind Generation Plants'. This is the first tender held in 13 years for the long-term purchase of energy, as part of four acts the government has prepared; the second will take place this March, and two more in 2027 and 2028. In this first process, six bidders approached for energy and one for power only, reported the engineer Dayana Fernández, Commercial Management Director of ETESA in a press release. The offer reception was on March 2, 2026, from 9:00 a.m. to 10:00 a.m., and the award is scheduled for April 13, with contracts to be signed by June 12. After the reception and opening of envelopes from the bidders, ETESA will review the offers, issue an evaluation report, and a resolution with the award to the winning company. This act took place after receiving a resolution from the National Secretariat of Energy recommending the adoption of measures for long-term energy contracting to cover the obligations of electricity distribution companies. Previously, the secretary explained that the tender includes 20-year contracts for new, wind, and hydroelectric projects.
