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New transmission lines

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PLANS FOR the construction  of  a  new  330 km electricity transmission line with a $550 million price tag are moving forward.

The International Finance Corporation (IFC)  will be carrying out preliminary studies so that a tender can be launched for the construction of the project,

Having tried unsuccessfully to tender preliminary studies and designs for the fourth transmission line, Empresa de Transmisión Eléctrica said it will use the IFC  from the World Bank, to develop the first phase of the project.

Prensa.com explains that  “…The project … will different from its three predecessors located on the Pacific route.  The 330 kilometer line will start in Bocas del Toro, passing through Veraguas, crossing the north side of Cocle then continue on to the province of Colon, ending in the electrical substation in Panama III.

The 4th line will have capacity to transport 1288 MW in each direction.”

 

http://www.newsroompanama.com/business/panama-4/new-transmission-lines

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Studies for Electric Transmission Line Resumed

Commissions have been formed for Etesa to initiate technical, environmental and social studies, which will be used to decide the route the line could take within the Ngäbe-Buglé Region.

Monday, March 5, 2018

The commissions will have to specify where to build the structures for the electric transmission line with capacity for 280 megawatts, which will have an extension of 328 kilometers, of which 107 will be inside the region. 

See: "Central America: $1.2 billion in energy projects"

The work carried out by the commissions that are made up of delegates, professionals, academics, local and traditional authorities, consists of " ... defining the route that the line could take and the sites that should be avoided so as not to affect the territory of the region. In addition, they will carry out environmental impact studies and determine the social priorities that the community will have for the development of the project."

See also "Energy Projects in Panama"

An article in Prensa.com adds that " ... the commissions must present a report during the next ordinary congress, which will be held in May in Cañaveral, district of Santa Catalina-Bledeshia, in which space will be given for addressing the project of the fourth transmission line."

 

https://www.centralamericadata.com/en/article/main/Studies_for_Electric_Transmission_Line_Resumed

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Six Companies Interested in Fourth Transmission Line

Companies from China and Canada took part in the prequalification process to design and build the Fourth Electric Transmission Line in Panama.

Monday, August 6, 2018

Last Friday Empresa de Transmisión Eléctrica, S.A. (ETESA) received documents from Interconexión Eléctrica, S.A., China Electric Power Equipment and Technology Co., Ltd., Chiriquí Transmisora de Energía, Consorcio Four Seasons, Vasco Nuñez de Balboa Consortium and TBEA Co., Ltd., companies interested in the construction work.

From a statement issued by Empresa de Transmisión Eléctrica:

ETESA carried out a prequalification process to ensure that the contractor has the necessary financial and technical capabilities to develop the project, which will be the largest of its kind in Central America.

Empresa de Transmisión Eléctrica, SA (ETESA) held, on Friday, the act of receiving documents from companies interested in prequalifying for the engineering project for the design, construction, supply and installation, commissioning, operation and maintenance of the Fourth Electric Transmission Line Chiriquí Grande-Panama III 500KV and associated substations.

Two companies and four consortiums submitted documents, thereby expressing their interest in participating in the tender for the project:

  • Interconexión Eléctrica, SAESP (ISA)
  • China Electric Power Equipment and Technology Co., Ltd.
  • Chiriquí Transmisora de Energía, made up of Elecnor and AAGES (Abengoa-Algonquin Global Energy Solutions)
  • Consorcio Four Seasons, consisting of Sterlite Power, Rte International, EGIS Group and Andrade Gutierrez Engineering
  • Vasco Nuñez de Balboa Consortium, formed by Northland Power Development, Manitoba Hydro International and Control y Montajes Industriales, S.A.
  • TBEA Co., Ltd.

Read full statement (in Spanish).

 

https://www.centralamericadata.com/en/article/main/Six_Companies_Interested_in_Fourth_Transmission_Line

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Chinese company back in  power line bid

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The China Electric Power company which had been disqualified from participating in the tender for the construction, financing, and operation of Panama’s fourth electric transmission line is back in the running.

The company had been disqualified by the Electric Transmission Company, S.A. (Etesa) evaluation committee that analyzed six proposals it received in the prequalification process. In a report dated August 9, six days after receiving the proposals, the committee determined that the Chinese group did not meet the requirements in points 9, 10 and 12, related to the number of kilometers of transmission line built or operated.

After the report was released on August 14, the Chinese company sent a letter to Etesa asking for a new revision of its proposal, since in its opinion it did comply with the points indicated by the commission. In response, on August 20, Gilberto Ferrari, general manager of Etesa, ordered a new analysis and four days later the committee announced that China Electric Power did meet all the requirements.

In its observations, the company indicated that it did show that it had built the number of kilometers required in the specifications. The projects included in its proposal were built by companies that belong to the same business conglomerate.

China Electric Power said that the statement did not require companies to detail the relationship they had with their subsidiaries.

Item  9 required bidders to have developed 3,000 kilometers or more of line 380 kV in single circuit or double circuit in the last 20 years

Item 10 asked to have 3,000 or more  kilometers of line  in operation; and   12, have in developed in the last 20 years 380 kv projects with a length of 200 kilometers in three countries, of which one should be in America.

With the approval of China Electric Power, there are  now five groups that passed the prequalification phase to participate in the tender for the construction of the 317 km project that starts in Chiriquí Grande, in  Bocas del Toro, to  Panama province.

In the first review, the companies that passed the filter were the Colombian Interconnection Eléctrica, S.A .; the Chiriquí Transmisora de Energía consortium, (Spain); the Four Seasons group (India, France, Brazil); and Vasco Núñez de Balboa (Canada).

 

https://www.newsroompanama.com/business/chinese-company-back-in-power-line-bid

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  • Moderator_02 changed the title to Panama's Proposed Fourth Electrical Transmission Line
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Advances in $500 million Electrical Works

In Panama, five companies were prequalified in the tender process to design, build and manage the fourth electric transmission line.

Monday, September 3, 2018

From a statement issued by Etesa:

Panama, September 3, 2018. Five proponents prequalified in the first phase of the process to select a contractor who will design, build and manage the Fourth Electric Transmission Line project, by complying with the necessary technical, legal and financial requirements, in the process carried out by Empresa de Transmisión Eléctrica, S.A. (ETESA) with the objective that whoever builds the project has the capabilities that the largest Central American project in its category deserves. 

The fourth electric transmission line will cost around 500 million dollars, will operate at 500 kilovolts (current lines operate at 115 and 230 kilovolts), will have a capacity of 1280MVA / 1500MW and comprises a length of 317 kilometers in length and seventy meters width of servitude, in a route through the Caribbean that goes from Bocas del Toro to the province of Panama.

Read full statement (In Spanish).

 

https://www.centralamericadata.com/en/article/main/Advances_in_500_million_Electrical_Works

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Panama could change bidding date for 500 KVA electrical project

Fri, 01/11/2019 - 12:30

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The public bidding for a 500 Kilovolt electric project to double the national system's backup capacity, scheduled for the first quarter of 2019, could be postponed for several weeks in response to a request from pre-qualified companies, an official source reported today.

The general manager of the public Electric Transmission Company (ETESA), Gilberto Ferrari, confirmed that in the approval of the specifications made on Thursday the five pre-qualified companies requested to change the tender's date so they can elaborate their proposals.

Ferrari recognized to the local channel TVN that they already knew this was going to happen "and that's why we had a planned addendum, that we're going to get it out after we listen to everything they tell us."

"But yes, we are going to consider a few additional weeks for the term (of the bidding process), and we will be formally communicating it in the addendum," Ferrari said.

This request is also on the table with the concern expressed by the representatives of the pre-qualified companies regarding the fulfillment of the agreements they can establish with the authorities of the Ngäbe Buglé indigenous district, through whose territory a section of the important project must pass.

ETESA has sought out the approach with several communities in the region, some of the members have expressed their opposition to the project invading their lands.

Ferrari explained today that the line "has one-third of it within the Ño Kribo region of the Ngäbe Buglé Comarca," and said that on February 1, the Ño Kribo Regional Congress will take place in this indigenous demarcation to present the results of the negotiation of that aboriginal area with ETESA on this matter.

"We hope to have such approval on that date" in relation to the passage of this project in the region, said Ferrari.

This is the Chiriquí Grande-Panama III Fourth Electricity Transmission Line III 500 Kva and associated substations, the "largest investment project in its category in Panama and Central America," for which companies and consortia from Spain, China, Brazil are already pre-qualified, India, Colombia, France, and Canada.

These are the companies and consortia Electrical Interconnection, SAESP (Colombia); China Electric Power Equipment and Technology Co. Ltd. (China); Chiriqui Consortium Energy Transmission (Spain); Four Seasons Consortium (India, France, and Brazil); and Vasco Nuñez de Balboa Transmission Consortium (Canada and Spain).

ETESA recalled last December 15 in a statement, which does not specify investment amounts, that the fourth line "will have a capacity of 1,280 mv / 1,500 MW, and comprises a length of 317 kilometers away and 70 meters wide of servitude."

It will cover a route through the Panamanian Caribbean that goes from Bocas del Toro to the province of Panama, between the Chiriqui Grande and Panama III substations, which are close to being built, according to official information.

That day 15, the engineering design, construction, supply and installation, commissioning, operation, and maintenance of the fourth line, was published a document of more than 1,000 page-project specifications that rests in the electronic system of public procurement of the Republic of Panama. 

"So the construction can start near the season of 2020, after complying with the technical, environmental and social studies, as well as all the aspects contemplated by local laws, the company has foreseen that the tender will be held in the first quarter of 2019," ETESA said.

Once operational, the fourth line "will increase the transport capacity, therefore, decreases the losses of the system, which would represent, in economic terms, between 20 and 22 million dollars less per year," ETESA said.

The state agency said that the fourth electric transmission line "will initially operate at 230 kilovolts and will later be extended to 500 kilovolts."

 

https://www.panamatoday.com/panama/panama-could-change-bidding-date-500-kva-electrical-project-8922

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Electric Company to Issue $300 Million

Aiming to settle outstanding debts and finance part of the Electric Expansion Plan, in Panama Etesa will issue rotating bonds in the local market for up to $300 million, with a term of no more than ten years.

Wednesday, January 16, 2019

The issue has already been approved by the Board of Directors of Empresa de Transmisión Eléctrica S.A. (Etesa), by the National Economic Council and by the Cabinet Council, so that the bonds are placed in public auction, privately, by order book or any other method.

Laestrella.com.pa reviews that "... The sections, types and series will be defined at the time according to the need for cash faced by the entity. The interest will also be fixed by the market when each issue is made, whose maximum term must not exceed 10 years, according to Cabinet Decree No. 1 of January 8th, 2019."

The article adds that ".... The bonds will be issued on the Panama Stock Exchange or any other stock exchange in the associated region. The bonds shall be registered in Latinclear, Euroclear or any other securities house incorporated with an account annotation system only."

 

https://www.centralamericadata.com/en/article/main/Electric_Company_to_Debt_300_Million

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  • Moderator_02 changed the title to ETESA (electrical distribution) Debt to Increase Substantially for New Infrastructure; Panama's Proposed Fourth Electrical Transmission Line
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Tender for Fourth Electric Transmission Line Postponed

March 28 is the new date to present proposals for the design, construction and operation of the Fourth Electric Transmission Line in Panama.

Tuesday, January 29, 2019

The modification to the terms of the public tender was carried out by the Empresa de Transmisión Eléctrica (Etesa) at the request of the companies pre-qualified in the process.

The project includes the study, design, detailed engineering, construction, supply and installation, commissioning, operation and maintenance of the Fourth Transmission Line Chiriquí Grande - Panama III, 500kV and Associated Substations.

The Chiriquí Grande - Panama III Transmission Line will begin at the Chiriquí Grande Substation, which is in the Bocas del Toro Province, and will end at the Panama III Substation, also in the province of Panama.

Interconexión Eléctrica, S.A., China Electric Power Equipment and Technology Co. Ltd., Consorcio Chiriquí Transmisora de Energía, Consorcio Four Seasons and Consorcio de Transmisión Vasco Núñez de Balboa, are the five business groups pre-qualified for the tender.

See tender details.

 

https://www.centralamericadata.com/en/article/main/Tender_for_Fourth_Electric_Transmission_Line_Postponed

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State Electric Company to Issue $750 Million in Debt

Empresa de Transmisión Eléctrica de Panamá was authorized to make one or more issues and reopen securities in international markets for up to $750 million.

Tuesday, February 19, 2019

The issuance will take place in the first half of 2019, will be listed in the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission and in the Superintendence of the Securities Market of Panama, informed Empresa Eléctrica.

From Etesa's statement:

Panama, February 18, 2019.- Empresa de Transmisión Eléctrica, S.A. (ETESA) was authorized by the Board of Directors and the Cabinet Council to carry out one or more issues and/or reopening of securities in the international markets for up to US$750 million.

This issuance, which will take place in the first semester of 2019, will be listed in the US Securities Commission and in the Superintendence of the Securities Market of Panama, with the objective of refinancing the current debt of the company, financing investment projects contained in ETESA's Expansion Plan and/or refinancing additional debts that the company contracts for operation during the next few years.

ETESA was clear about some details related to these financial instruments:

Read full statement.

 

https://www.centralamericadata.com/en/article/main/State_Electric_Company_to_Issue_750_Million_in_Debt

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New Requirement to Tender Fourth Electric Transmission Line

To continue with the tender process of the Fourth Transmission Line, ETESA will have to better justify the real need of the project and define the optimal date of entry into operation.

Tuesday, March 12, 2019

To continue with the tender process, the Public Services Authority (Asep) has requested from the Empresa de Transmisión Eléctrica (Etesa) a justification for the development of the construction project and operation of the Fourth Transmission Line.

See "Tender for the Fourth Line of Electric Transmission"

Panamaamerica.com.pa reviews that "... The entity warns that they have uncertainty in key aspects such as demand, the date of entry into operation of generation projects, including the Changuinola II Hydroelectric Plant, which conditions the optimal date of entry into operation of the Fourth Transmission Line in its phase 1. It argues that what is recommended from the point of view of demand, to whom it would correspond to pay in advance for a project of this magnitude, is that Etesa carry out additional studies to establish aspects such as the date of entry into operation of the project and its operating voltage, in the next expansion plan."

The article adds that "... The Asep orders Etesa to submit an Expansion Plan for approval no later than next June 30th, in order to support the optimal date of entry into operation of the Fourth Transmission Line between the Chiriquí Grande and Panama III substations, as well as its operating voltage. In addition, it will have to formulate and evaluate technically and economically a set of suitable alternatives taking into account the interests of the system as a whole, avoiding discretion with respect to the interests of Etesa. It will also have to evaluate the impact with respect to the convenience of delaying the project by one, two or five years."

The Asep will have to approve the above mentioned optimal date of the start up of the project and the operation characteristics, to continue with the tender process.

Regarding the deadlines for the public tender, at the end of January Etesa reported that at the request of the pre-qualified companies, it was decided to postpone the date of delivery of proposals until March 28, 2019.

See tender details.

 

https://www.centralamericadata.com/en/article/main/New_Requirement_to_Tender_Fourth_Electric_Transmission_Line

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Approval for Fourth Line Electric Transmission

In Panama, ASEP approved the reconsideration request presented by Etesa, opening the way to continue with the tender process for the Fourth Transmission Line.

Wednesday, March 20, 2019

Last week, it was reported that to continue with the tender process, the Public Services Authority (Asep) had requested from the Electric Transmission Company (Etesa) a justification for the development of the construction project and operation of the Fourth Transmission Line.

See "New Requirement to Tender Fourth Electric Transmission Line"

Prensa.com reviews that "... Etesa presented a reconsideration, which was resolved yesterday, Tuesday, March 19, through resolution 13194, in which it was established to include the project of the fourth line, but under the condition that payment for the work is made in a 35-year period and not in less than 20 years, as proposed in the tender document. In the resolution, ASEP reversed the order to postpone the presentation of the expansion plan again and not to tender the fourth line until approving the optimal date of entry into operation, which gives the go-ahead to Etesa's project."

Gustavo Bernal, former deputy manager of Etesa and member of the Panamanian Society of Engineers and Architects, explained that "... in 35 years, which is the time it will take to pay that line, this asset will have depreciated greatly. The most critical thing about this is, according to him, that a company that is going to compete with Etesa will be paid when it begins to manage the fourth line. And those who will eventually pay will be the users."

The Project contemplates the study, design, detailed engineering, construction, supply and installation, commissioning, operation and maintenance of the Fourth Transmission Line Chiriquí Grande - Panama III, 500kV and Associated Substations.

The Chiriquí Grande - Panama III Transmission Line will begin at the Chiriquí Grande Substation, in the Province of Bocas del Toro, and end at the Panama III Substation, in the Province of Panama.

See tender details.

 

https://www.centralamericadata.com/en/article/main/Approval_for_Fourth_Line_Electric_Transmission

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  • Moderator_02 changed the title to Panama's Proposed Fourth Electrical Transmission Line
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State-owned Electric Plant Begins to Promote Its Bonds

On April 12, Panama's state-owned electric company began the marketing stage for the potential issuance of international bonds, which would be at least $500 million.

Monday, April 15, 2019

"Once the issuer's international risk ratings have been obtained and after several months of arduous preparation, we are ready to market among the most important investors in the United States, Europe and Latin America, our company's first long-term bond issue," explained Gilberto Ferrari, general manager of Empresa de Transmisión Eléctrica, S.A. (ETESA).

See "Investment Grade for State-owned Electric Plant"

From Etesa statement:

Empresa de Transmisión Eléctrica, S.A. (ETESA) has announced the beginning of the marketing stage for the potential issuance of international bonds.

"The process starts today April 12 in Panama and will be extended for a two-week period to the most important financial centers in the world," said Gilberto Ferrari, general manager of ETESA.

"Once the issuer's international risk ratings have been obtained and after several months of arduous preparation, we are ready to market among the most important investors in the United States, Europe and Latin America, our company's first long-term bond issue", commented Ferrari, who will lead the mission.

ETESA, rated Baa1 (Stable) by Moody's and BBB (Stable) by Fitch, will hold a series of fixed income investor meetings from Friday 12 April 2019. The company expects to have about 20 meetings in which it will present to at least 60 fixed income investors (bonds) the characteristics of the company's business model and the issue to be made, which will be at least US$500 million, with a long-term amortization profile.

This announcement is neither an offer to sell nor an invitation to buy the securities to be issued. Therefore, it should be considered indicative and non-binding.

 

https://www.centralamericadata.com/en/article/main/Stateowned_Electric_Plant_Begins_to_Promote_Its_Bonds

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2 hours ago, Bonnie said:

And this electricity would be for whom? For Panama, or for sale to others?

It's apparently both. Panama both imports and exports electricity depending on regional demand. It seems this line might primarily benefit Panama City,  but the interconnections mean better supply for everyone. 

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  • Moderator_02 changed the title to Panama's Proposed Fourth Electrical Transmission Line; ETESA Debt Load
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State-owned Electric Plant Issues $500 Million in Debt

The Empresa de Transmisión Eléctrica de Panamá issued debt securities for 30 years at a 5.125% interest rate.

Friday, April 26, 2019

The bonds have a deadline in May 2049, i.e. 30 years from the date of issue and will have a grace period on capital payments of 15 years, informed the institution.

See "State-owned Electric Plant Begins to Promote Its Bonds" and "State Electric Company to Issue $750 Million in Debt"

From Etesa's statement:

Empresa de Transmisión Eléctrica, S.A. (Etesa) successfully made its first issue of corporate bonds under the format Rule 144A and Regulation S, for $500 million dollars that will be used to cancel current short-term debt for the same amount.

The issuance process began at 8:38 a.m. in New York City, in which 145 investors offered US$2,407 million, which corresponds to 4.88 times the amount offered. This allowed the operation to be completed at a 5.125% interest rate and a 5.125% yield rate.

"This transaction marks a before and after for the company, positioning us as an international issuer with investment grade ratings. This is the materialization of one of the most important components of the financing strategy that we have been managing since August 2017", said Gilberto Ferrari, general manager of ETESA.

Read full article (In Spanish).

 

https://www.centralamericadata.com/en/article/main/Stateowned_Electric_Plant_Issues_500_Million_in_Debt

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State-owned Electrical Plant Issues $75 Million in Debt

Empresa de Transmisión Eléctrica de Panamá issued seven-year local market debt securities with a 3.85% interest rate.

Thursday, May 2, 2019

Empresa de Transmisión Eléctrica S.A. (ETESA) made its first issue of corporate bonds in the Stock Market of Panama, for the sum of seventy-five million dollars ($75 million) to be used to finance investment projects included in the Expansion Plan of the National Interconnected System (PESIN) of 2018, said the institution in a statement.

Gilberto Ferrari, general manager of ETESA, explained that "... It is the first time in the history of the company that it is possible to finance investments through the Panamanian capital market, which contributes to continue diversifying our sources of financing in the short and medium term."

The ETESA document states that "... This issue, with a 7-year term, is part of a Revolving Bond Program authorized by the company's Board of Directors for up to US$300 million. "This program is intended to partially finance ETESA's Expansion Plan for the next three (3) years, with the exception of the Fourth Transmission Line project, which will be financed by the contractor," Ferrari said.  "This transaction positions us as an important issuer in the local stock market and is the culmination of another component of the financing strategy that we have been managing since August 2017", commented ETESA's general manager.

The issuance process began at 8:00 a.m. in Panama City, in which offers were received from 13 investors for the sum of one hundred and sixteen million dollars (US$116 million), which corresponds to 1.55 times the amount offered, allowing the operation to be carried out at an interest rate of 3.85% and a yield rate of 3.85%. "To be able to issue this bond at only twelve (12) basis points of difference over the bond of the Republic of Panama launched last April 10, is a clear sample of our financial solidity and of the confidence that the investors have in the company", explained Alfredo Díaz Camarano, ETESA's Corporate Finance Manager
."


https://www.centralamericadata.com/en/article/main/Stateowned_Electrical_Plant_Issues_75_Million_in_Debt

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Fourth Electric Transmission Line: Proposals Disqualified

Arguing that none of the two proposals received meets the mandatory minimum requirements, in Panama it was decided to disqualify companies interested in building the Fourth Transmission Line.

Wednesday, May 8, 2019

At the ceremony held on April 9, two of the five pre-qualified contractors submitted their technical and economic proposals for the execution of the project, which consists of the design, construction, supply and installation, commissioning, operation and maintenance of the Fourth Chiriquí Grande - Panama III 500kv Electric Transmission Line and associated substations.

"Once the review of the proposals was concluded, with the purpose of verifying compliance with the minimum mandatory requirements established in the RFP, the Evaluation Commission determined that both proposers, Consorcio Interpanama and China Electric Power Equipment and Technology Co., LTD, are disqualified for non-compliance with the Minimum Mandatory Requirements established in the RFP," explains the resolution published on May 7, 2019 in PanamaCompras.

The resolution concludes that "... Considering that none of the proponents complied with the minimum mandatory requirements required in the RFP, this Evaluation Commission cannot proceed to evaluate the Technical Proposals presented in the Public Act."

See tender details.

 

https://www.centralamericadata.com/en/article/main/Fourth_Electric_Transmission_Line_Proposals_Disqualified

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$99 Million Electrical Works Tender Postponed

November 7, 2019 is the new date for the receipt of tenders in the tender for the construction of the 230 Kv Sabanitas - Panama III Transmission Line and associated substations.

Monday, August 5, 2019

The initial date for receipt of tenders was August 6, but because some companies interested in submitting proposals asked for the extension of the deadline, the authorities of Empresas de Transmisión Eléctrica, S.A. requested the extension. (Etesa) decided to make an extension.

The contract includes the following works:

-Supply, Assembly and works related to the Construction of the Panama III Sabanitas Line, specifically from the sector of Mocambo where the Panama III Substation will be located to Sabanitas, Colón where the Sabanitas Substation will be located.

-Supply, assembly, civil works and commissioning of the Panama III and Sabanitas substations, these substations will be of the encapsulated GIS type.

-In the Panama III substation, the existing lines will be sectionalized: LT2_Guasquita - Panama II and LT_3 Chorrera - Panama.

-At the Sabanitas Substation, the existing LT_Cristobal-Panama II lines owned by AES PANAMA will be sectionalized; additional warehouses will also be left for the entry of new lines from other market agents.

See tender details.

 

https://www.centralamericadata.com/en/article/main/99_Million_Electrical_Works_Tender_Postponed

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Power transmission line construction bidding delayed 3 months

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Posted 06/08/2019

The  presentation of tender proposals to build the Sabanitas, Colón transmission line to the Panama III substation. has been postponed by the new administration of state-owned Etesa until November 6.

Delivery of proposals was originally scheduled for  Tuesday, August 6.

The decision to move the date was taken at the request of some of the companies interested in submitting offers.

“It is necessary to increase the transmission capacity from the province of Colon to Panama City, in order to reliably, efficiently and safely transmit the generation of the new thermoelectric plants,” says Etesa.

The 230-kilovolt transmission line, with runnning 47 kilometers from Colon to Panama, has a reference price of $ 98.5 million.

In addition to the line, other parallel works are planned, such as the construction of the new Sabanitas substation, located in the Colón area, and the Panama III substation, which starts in the Mocambo sector, near the North corridor highway. This Panama III substation will serve to connect 1,2,3 and future 4 transmission lines, coming from the west of the country. Panama III will become the center where the entire generation of the country will be received.

The project must be built over a period of 18 months. The proponent chosen should submit a short-term financing plan, with details of the cost of the effective financing rate.

 

https://www.newsroompanama.com/business/power-transmission-line-construction-bidding-delayed-3-months

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Energy: Tender for Fourth Line Could Change

In Panama, the possibility of developing the Fourth Line of Electric Transmission is being analyzed under the parameters established by the Public-Private Association bill.

Wednesday, August 14, 2019

The public procurement process that was declared void at the beginning of the year was that the company winning the contest would have to make an investment with its resources to then operate the Fourth Line and thus recover the investment. The plan contemplated that it would later transfer the operations to Empresa de Transmisión Eléctrica (Etesa).

Now, with the arrival of the new authorities, the viability of modifying the conditions of the contract is being studied. The most important change would be that the company that wins the bidding process must join forces with Etesa to develop the work under the parameters established by the Public-Private Partnership Law (APP).

In this sense, at the end of July the Ministry of Finance presented a project to modify the law regulating public contracts, which on the specific issue of Public-Private Partnerships (PPP), the proposal contemplates the creation of a regime for this type of contracts, which must be approved by the Cabinet Council, an Advisory Committee and a Governing Body.

Jorge Rivera Staff, president of Etesa, told Prensa.com that "... We are carrying out a review and evaluation of the process and the model as such. It is clear the importance of building this line within the opportune times, but it required a review of the failed tender."

The article reviews that "... Although the new board of directors of Empresa de Transmisión Eléctrica, S.A. (Etesa) analyzes the development of the fourth line through the model of public-private partnership, emphasizes that the mechanism of operation will be exclusive to the state company."

See details of the tender.


 

https://www.centralamericadata.com/en/article/main/Energy_Tender_for_Fourth_Line_Could_Change

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Pandemia frena cuarta línea de transmisión entre Bocas y Panamá

Wilfredo Jordán S.
24 may 2020 - 11:11 PM

https://www.prensa.com/impresa/panorama/pandemia-frena-cuarta-linea-de-transmision-entre-bocas-y-panama/

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Inicio de operaciones de la cuarta línea de transmisión, prevista para julio de 2024

Actualmente Etesa se encuentra evaluando el modelo financiero para presentar una licitación a inicios del 2021

Por Lourdes García Armuelles

5d8cb61f841c1.jpeg
La cuarta  Línea Chiriquí Grande- Panamá III 500 KV recorrerá las provincias de Bocas del Toro, Comarca Ngäbe Buglé, Veraguas, Colón, Coclé y Panamá. .Archivo | La Estrella de Panamá

"La Empresa de Transmisión Eléctrica, S.A. (Etesa) comenta que la fecha prevista de inicio de operación de la cuarta línea de transmisión es en julio de 2024, un año de atraso respecto al Plan de Expansión del Sistema Interconectado Nacional (Pesin) 2018". Así lo documenta la Autoridad de los Servicios Públicos (Asep) dentro de la Resolución AN. No. 16103-Elec. 

Cronograma

Según información de Asep, Etesa tenían contemplado tener la puesta en marcha de este proyecto para julio 2023, después de cumplir con un periodo de construcción de tres o cuatro años, que debían empezarse a finales de 2019 inicios de 2020. Pero el cronograma tuvo modificaciones después de que en 2019 se cancelara la primera licitación por falta de requisitos técnicos por las dos empresas que competían y cuando, en abril del 2020, Asep no aprobó la construcción de la cuarta línea de transmisión Chiriquí Grande-Panamá III 500KV, como parte de las obras a largo plazo de Etesa. 

Carlos Manuel Mosquera, gerente general de Etesa, informaba en febrero que la entidad se encontraba terminando la evaluación del proyecto y que estimaba hacer la licitación pública entre los meses de julio o agosto de este año.

Llegado esos meses, Etesa no presentó ninguna licitación. Sin embargo, se encuentran evaluando el modelo financiero de la obra que tiene un costo de inversión de $500 millones, para tener estimado una posible licitación a inicios del 2021, reveló una fuente de esa entidad a La Estrella de Panamá

Las discusiones van acordes después que Asep dejará sin efecto su decisión tomada en abril, ya que accedió a resolver el recurso de reconsideración de la resolución que aplazaba la obra, la cual ahora permite a Etesa licitar y construir. 

Esta postura no solo beneficia a la cuarta línea, sino también a proyectos como: el Telfers-Sabanitas 230 KV, la Línea Subterránea Panamá-Panamá III, 230 KV y el aumento de Capacidad de la línea LTI Veladero-Llano Sánchez-El Higo Chorrera-Panamá 230 KV.

Quote

"Si ya están evaluando el modelo financiero, me imagino que Etesa lo va a considerar en su relación ‘costo beneficio’ que hace como empresa porque eso les implica determinar un establecimiento de marcas de utilidades. Sin embargo, espero que no sea así, porque la energía deber ser valorada desde el punto de eficiencia como alcance de los objetivos nacionales"Maribel Gordón 
Economista

Gordón, además comentó que sobre la cuarta línea de transmisión se debe analizar la cantidad de población a la que brindaría servicios, ya que para "nadie es un secreto que en Panamá hay un derroche energético ante la falta de una matriz energética que responda efectivamente a los intereses nacionales en competencia con los niveles de desarrollo sostenible".

Advertencias

El cambio de decisión de Asep fue presentada en la ya mencionada Resolución AN. No. 16103-Elec, en ella reitera a Etesa que los proyectos de largo plazo (entre los que incluye la cuarta línea) que se presenten ante la autoridad reguladora (Asep) estarán sujetos a revisiones en "futuros planes de expansión". 

Además, advierte que Etesa deberá presentar el proyecto de la Línea Chiriquí Grande- Panamá III 500 KV en el Plan de Expansión del Sistema Interconectado Nacional 2020, el cual debe contemplar los escenarios de demandas acorde a la nueva situación en el sector eléctrico y el impacto que este puede tener debido a la pandemia de la covid-19. 

Características

La Línea Chiriquí Grande- Panamá III 500 KV se localizará en la provincia de Bocas del Toro y Panamá. Recorrerá las provincias de Bocas del Toro, Comarca Ngäbe Buglé, Veraguas, Colón, Coclé y Panamá.

Incluye la construcción, operación y mantenimiento de una línea aérea de transmisión con capacidad de 1,280 MW (en condiciones normales) y de 1,856 MW (en condiciones de emergencia) por circuito en 500 kV (AC). La línea de transmisión tendría una longitud aproximada de 317 kilómetros, para conectar la subestación Chiriquí Grande, en el área de Bocas del Toro, con una nueva Subestación Panamá III, en ciudad de Panamá.

Su objetivo es aumentar la capacidad de transmisión de energía de alta tensión, disminuir las pérdidas del sistema, incrementar la seguridad y ofrecer redundancia al sistema interconectado nacional. 

Investigación

El Movimiento por la Defensa de los Territorios y Ecosistemas de Bocas del Toro han denunciado que la obra atraviesa terrenos reclamados por ello y que además el proceso ha sido ‘inconsulto’. 

Antes estas reacciones, La Oficina Asesora de Cumplimiento (CAO, por sus siglas en inglés) del Banco Mundial (BM) inició una investigación en el primer trimestre del año a la Corporación Financiera Internacional (IFC, en inglés) con el fin de determinar si el asesoramiento en asuntos ambientales y sociales que IFC ofreció a Etesa cumplía con los requisitos de las normas de desempeño que se aplican al análisis de las partes interesadas: Etesa e indígenas. 

En su defensa, Etesa publicó un comunicado donde dijo: “este es un tema interno y exclusivo de ambas oficinas que deben responder a los estándares y cumplimiento de las Normas del BM, en busca de resultados objetivos". De esta forma Etesa pronunciaba su distanciamiento sobre el tema. 

La CAO tenía previsto para marzo realizar una visita de campo, pero por procedimientos internos la logística le tomó más tiempo de lo esperado.

 

Moderator comment: Below is an unedited automated translation of the above news article.

Quote

Start of operations of the fourth transmission line, scheduled for July 2024

Etesa is currently evaluating the financial model to present a tender in early 2021

By Lourdes García Armuelles
Updated 08/29/2020 15:04

<<5d8cb61f841c1.jpeg>>
The fourth Chiriquí Grande-Panama III 500 KV Line will run through the provinces of Bocas del Toro, Comarca Ngäbe Buglé, Veraguas, Colón, Coclé and Panama. .File | The Panama Star

"The Empresa de Distribución Eléctrica, SA (Etesa) comments that the scheduled start date of the fourth transmission line is July 2024, a year behind the Expansion Plan of the National Interconnected System (Pesin) 2018" . This is documented by the Public Services Authority (Asep) within Resolution AN. No. 16103-Elec.

Schedule

According to information from Asep, Etesa had planned to start up this project by July 2023, after completing a construction period of three or four years, which should start at the end of 2019, beginning of 2020. But the schedule had modifications after the first tender was canceled in 2019 due to lack of technical requirements by the two competing companies and when, in April 2020, Asep did not approve the construction of the fourth Chiriquí Grande-Panamá III 500KV transmission line, as part of the the long-term works of Etesa.

Carlos Manuel Mosquera, general manager of Etesa, reported in February that the entity was finishing the evaluation of the project and that it expected to carry out the public tender between July or August of this year.

In those months, Etesa did not present any tender. However, they are evaluating the financial model of the work that has an investment cost of $ 500 million, to have an estimate of a possible tender in early 2021, revealed a source from that entity to La Estrella de Panamá.

The discussions are consistent after Asep will annul its decision made in April, since it agreed to resolve the appeal for reconsideration of the resolution that postponed the work, which now allows Etesa to tender and build.

This position not only benefits the fourth line, but also projects such as: the Telfers-Sabanitas 230 KV, the Panama-Panama III Underground Line, 230 KV and the increase in Capacity of the LTI Veladero-Llano Sánchez-El Higo Chorrera line -Panama 230 KV.

Quote

"If they are already evaluating the financial model, I imagine that Etesa is going to consider it in its 'cost benefit' relationship that it does as a company because that implies determining an establishment of profit brands. However, I hope that it is not so, because energy must be valued from the efficiency point of view as reaching the national objectives"

Maribel Gordón
Economist

Gordón also commented that on the fourth transmission line the amount of population to which it would provide services must be analyzed, since for "no one is a secret that in Panama there is an energy waste due to the lack of an energy matrix that responds effectively to national interests in competition with levels of sustainable development ".

Warnings

Asep's change of decision was presented in the aforementioned Resolution AN. No. 16103-Elec, in it reiterates to Etesa that long-term projects (including the fourth line) that are presented to the regulatory authority (Asep) will be subject to review in "future expansion plans."

In addition, it warns that Etesa must present the project for the Chiriquí Grande-Panamá III 500 KV Line in the 2020 National Interconnected System Expansion Plan, which must contemplate demand scenarios according to the new situation in the electricity sector and the impact that this may have due to the covid-19 pandemic.

Characteristics

The Chiriquí Grande-Panama III 500 KV Line will be located in the province of Bocas del Toro and Panama. It will visit the provinces of Bocas del Toro, Comarca Ngäbe Buglé, Veraguas, Colón, Coclé and Panama.

It includes the construction, operation and maintenance of an overhead transmission line with a capacity of 1,280 MW (under normal conditions) and 1,856 MW (under emergency conditions) per circuit at 500 kV (AC). The transmission line would have an approximate length of 317 kilometers, to connect the Chiriquí Grande substation, in the Bocas del Toro area, with a new Panama III Substation, in Panama City.

Its objective is to increase the high voltage power transmission capacity, reduce system losses, increase security and offer redundancy to the national interconnected system.

Investigation

The Movement for the Defense of the Territories and Ecosystems of Bocas del Toro have denounced that the work crosses land claimed for it and that the process has also been "inconsistent."

Before these reactions, the Compliance Advisory Office (CAO) of the World Bank (WB) initiated an investigation in the first quarter of the year to the International Finance Corporation (IFC, in English) in order to determine if the advice on environmental and social matters that IFC offered to Etesa met the requirements of the performance standards that apply to the analysis of the interested parties: Etesa and indigenous people.

In his defense, Etesa published a statement in which he said: “This is an internal and exclusive issue for both offices that must respond to the standards and compliance with the World Bank Regulations, in search of objective results.” In this way, Etesa declared its distancing about the topic.

The CAO was scheduled to conduct a field visit in March, but due to internal procedures, logistics took longer than expected.

 

https://www.laestrella.com.pa/nacional/200829/inicio-operaciones-cuarta-linea-transmision-prevista-julio-2024

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