Financial Aspects re Investment in Power Generation Infrastructure

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Limits on Energy Investments?

In Panama, discussion continues over a bill that would modify regulation of the electricity sector, including, among the most controversial changes, setting limits on concessions granted to companies.

Thursday, May 24, 2018

For months, the Trade and Economic Affairs Commission in the Assembly of Panama has been discussing Bill 573, which modifies the regulatory framework for the provision of electricity services.

Among the main changes that are proposed is what is stated in article 19, which establishes restrictions for companies in the sector.  With the proposed change, generation companies that provide public electricity services would be prevented from " ... participating in the Contract Market, when directly or indirectly, or through other generation companies or other means, they have a level contracting that exceeds forty percent (40%) of national power and / or energy consumption."

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

Article 19 adds that there would also be restrictions on companies that " ... Directly or indirectly provide more than twenty-five percent (25%) of the total energy to the Large Clients in Panama's electricity sector."

Regarding the limits proposed in the law reform, Miguel Bolinaga, president of AES Panama, told Elcapitalfinanciero.com that " ... beyond changing the rules of the game, which could harm them as a company, there is also an impact on Panamanians because a company that has the possibility of giving the most economic energy is taken out of the market."

See also: "Energy projects in Panama"

In opposition to Bolinaga's proposal, the general manager of the Electric Transmission Company (Etesa), Gilberto Ferrari, said he was in favor " ... of the article, since it is related to setting a limit in order to avoid having an actor that can own a dominant position in the market and not with an investment ceiling."

See bill. (In Spanish)

 

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

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Energy Projects Dynamize Credits

In Panama, bank credit for power generation projects grew 39% by November 2018, and the increase was mainly due to loans for clean energy projects.

Monday, February 4, 2019

According to the latest report of the Superintendence of Banks, in November last year the portfolio of loans granted to the country's industrial sector totaled $3.309 million, equivalent to a 30% increase over the $2.537 million reported in November 2017.

You may be interested in "Tender for Fourth Electric Transmission Line Postponed"

From this global figure of the credit granted to the industrial sector, it stands out that the financing of projects focused on the generation of electric energy increased $528 million for the months concerned, going from $1.363 million to $1.891 million.

Elcapitalfinanciero.com reviews that "... At the end of November 2018, The Bank of Nova Scotia presides over the loans granted to electricity generation with $619.59 million. It is followed: Banistmo ($306.69 million), Banco Nacional de Panamá (BNP with $208.46 million), Global Bank Corporation (Global with $157.46 million), Bac International Bank, Inc., (Bac with $144.22 million), Banco Latinoamericano de Comercio Exterior (Bladex, with $109.23 million) and Banco General (BG with $79.87 million)."

Also see "Central America: $1.6 billion in Energy Projects"

The article adds that "... The 38.76% growth in the balance of loans for electricity production shows the interest of banks in participating in the development of new energy sources, particularly clean ones. For example, in 2016 Nova Scotia announced that it signed an agreement with Gas Natural Atlántico II for the construction of the transmission line of the AES Colón Project for $60 million (approximately 15 kilometers). AES Colón is the first Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) generation plant in the country, with a net capacity of 380 megawatts (MW)."

 

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