Panama and Colombia seek grid interconnection

(powergenworldwide.com) The governments of Panama and Colombia are in the process of establishing the right legal framework to enable them to conduct a project that will interconnect the electricity grids of both countries.

According to the Associated Press, the project will allow the power generating companies in Colombia to sell electricity in Panama and vice versa. Paname will then serve as a gateway to transmit the electricity to the rest of the Central American region.

This interconnection project is expected to cost in the region of $550m.

The interconnection route has not yet been decided but it is expected to go through the Darien Gap, a large area of undeveloped swampland and forest which spans the border between the two countries.

Interconexion Electrica Colombia-Panama, which comprises the Colombian ISA and the Panamanian ETESA, will be in charge of construction, according to Spanish news agency EFE.

The project is expected to be completed between 2014 and 2015.

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Original Source: http://www.powergenworldwide.com/index/display/articledisplay/1011893071/articles/powergenworldwide/t-and-d/t-and-d-infrastructure/2010/09/panama-and_colombia.html
Date Retrieved: September 18, 2010.