Wind Energy
Penonome Wind Farm, Panama
The Penonome Wind Farm is a wind power project located in the province of Cocle, Panama.
The wind farm is situated about 150 kilometers west of Panama City and covers an area of approximately 42,000 acres. It is considered to be the largest wind farm in Central America, and one of the largest in all of Latin America.
The Penonome Wind Farm is comprised of 86 wind turbines, which are capable of generating a total of 215 megawatts (MW) of electricity. The turbines are manufactured by the Danish company Vestas, and have a hub height of 105 meters and a rotor diameter of 112 meters.
The wind farm began commercial operations in 2014, and is owned and operated by InterEnergy Holdings, a company that specializes in renewable energy projects in Latin America and the Caribbean. The electricity generated by the wind farm is sold to the Panamanian electricity grid, which is operated by the state-owned company, Empresa de Transmisión Eléctrica S.A. (ETESA).
The Penonome Wind Farm is expected to generate approximately 500 gigawatt-hours (GWh) of electricity per year, which is equivalent to the annual electricity consumption of around 100,000 households in Panama. The wind farm is expected to contribute to reducing greenhouse gas emissions in the country, and to help Panama meet its target of generating 70% of its electricity from renewable sources by 2050.
History of Penonome Wind Farm Panama
The Penonome Wind Farm project was initiated by Union Eolica Panameña (UEP), a consortium of local and international investors, in 2011. The project was designed to harness the strong winds that blow through the central region of Panama, which is characterized by a flat, open landscape and an average wind speed of 10 to 12 meters per second.
Construction of the wind farm began in 2012 and was completed in 2014. The project involved the installation of 86 wind turbines across an area of approximately 42,000 acres. The turbines were manufactured by Vestas, a leading Danish wind turbine manufacturer, and were transported to Panama by ship.
The project faced some challenges during its construction phase, including delays caused by heavy rainfall and logistical difficulties associated with the transportation of the turbines to the remote project site. However, these challenges were ultimately overcome, and the wind farm began commercial operations in 2014.
In 2016, InterEnergy Holdings, a leading regional power company based in the Caribbean, acquired a controlling stake in UEP and assumed ownership of the Penonome Wind Farm. Under InterEnergy's ownership, the wind farm has continued to operate successfully, generating clean, renewable energy for the Panamanian electricity grid and contributing to the country's efforts to reduce its dependence on fossil fuels.
Penonome Wind Farm Panama - Profile
The Penonome Wind Farm is a large-scale wind power project located in the province of Cocle, Panama.
Here is a profile of the wind farm:
Location: The wind farm is situated approximately 150 kilometers west of Panama City, in the central region of Panama.
Ownership: The wind farm is owned and operated by InterEnergy Holdings, a regional power company based in the Caribbean.
Size: The Penonome Wind Farm covers an area of approximately 42,000 acres and is comprised of 86 wind turbines.
Capacity: The wind farm has a total installed capacity of 215 megawatts (MW) and is capable of generating approximately 500 gigawatt-hours (GWh) of electricity per year.
Turbines: The wind turbines used at the Penonome Wind Farm are manufactured by Vestas, a leading Danish wind turbine manufacturer. The turbines have a hub height of 105 meters and a rotor diameter of 112 meters.
Operation: The wind farm began commercial operations in 2014 and is connected to the Panamanian electricity grid through a substation located on the project site. The electricity generated by the wind farm is sold to the state-owned electricity grid operator, Empresa de Transmisión Eléctrica S.A. (ETESA).
Environmental benefits: The Penonome Wind Farm is expected to contribute to reducing greenhouse gas emissions in Panama and to help the country meet its target of generating 70% of its electricity from renewable sources by 2050. The wind farm is also expected to have a positive impact on the local economy, creating jobs and supporting local businesses.
Penonome Wind Farm Panama - Technology
The Penonome Wind Farm in Panama uses advanced wind turbine technology to generate electricity from the strong winds that blow through the central region of the country.
Here are some details on the technology used at the wind farm:
Wind turbines: The wind farm is comprised of 86 wind turbines manufactured by Vestas, a leading Danish wind turbine manufacturer. The turbines used at the Penonome Wind Farm are Vestas V112-3.0 MW models, which have a hub height of 105 meters and a rotor diameter of 112 meters.
Blades: Each wind turbine has three blades made of fiberglass-reinforced epoxy resin. The blades are designed to capture the maximum amount of energy from the wind and convert it into rotational motion that drives a generator to produce electricity.
Generator: The rotational motion produced by the wind turbine blades is converted into electrical power by a generator located inside the turbine tower. The generator uses an electromagnet to convert the mechanical energy into electrical energy, which is then transmitted to a substation on the project site.
Substation: The substation at the Penonome Wind Farm is used to convert the electricity generated by the wind turbines from low voltage to high voltage, so that it can be transmitted to the Panamanian electricity grid. The substation also contains equipment for monitoring and controlling the wind farm's operations.
Grid connection: The Penonome Wind Farm is connected to the Panamanian electricity grid through a 230-kilovolt transmission line that connects the project site to a nearby substation. The electricity generated by the wind farm is sold to the state-owned electricity grid operator, Empresa de Transmisión Eléctrica S.A. (ETESA).
The technology used at the Penonome Wind Farm is designed to maximize the amount of electricity that can be generated from the strong winds in the region, while also ensuring the safety and reliability of the wind turbines and associated infrastructure.
Penonome Wind Farm Panama - Operator
The Penonome Wind Farm in Panama is owned and operated by InterEnergy Holdings, a regional power company based in the Caribbean.
Here are some details on the operator of the wind farm:
InterEnergy Holdings: InterEnergy Holdings is a leading regional power company that specializes in the generation, distribution, and commercialization of electricity in the Caribbean and Latin America. The company was founded in 2011 and has its headquarters in the Dominican Republic.
Ownership: InterEnergy Holdings acquired a controlling stake in Union Eolica Panameña (UEP), the original developer of the Penonome Wind Farm, in 2016. Under InterEnergy's ownership, the wind farm has continued to operate successfully and generate clean, renewable energy for the Panamanian electricity grid.
Operations: InterEnergy Holdings operates the Penonome Wind Farm through its subsidiary, Panama Power Holdings S.A. The company is responsible for the day-to-day management and maintenance of the wind farm, as well as for ensuring that it operates safely, reliably, and in compliance with all applicable regulations.
Community engagement: InterEnergy Holdings is committed to engaging with local communities and stakeholders to ensure that the Penonome Wind Farm operates in a socially responsible and sustainable manner. The company has implemented a range of initiatives to support local economic development, promote environmental conservation, and foster positive relationships with nearby communities.
InterEnergy Holdings is an experienced and reputable operator of renewable energy projects in the Caribbean and Latin America, and is well-positioned to manage the operations and development of the Penonome Wind Farm in Panama.
Penonome Wind Farm Panama - Cost and Financial Investment
The Penonome Wind Farm in Panama represents a significant investment in renewable energy infrastructure, with a total project cost estimated at approximately US$450 million.
Here are some details on the cost and financial investment involved in the wind farm:
Development costs: The development of the Penonome Wind Farm was carried out by Union Eolica Panameña (UEP), a consortium of international renewable energy developers. The total cost of development was estimated at approximately US$130 million, which covered the acquisition of the project site, the installation of wind turbines and associated infrastructure, and other development costs.
Financing: The financing for the Penonome Wind Farm was provided through a combination of equity and debt. The original developers of the project, including Spain's Grupo Ecoener and Mesoamerican renewable energy fund manager Actis, provided equity financing. The remaining financing was provided through loans from international development banks, including the International Finance Corporation (IFC), the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB), and the Central American Bank for Economic Integration (CABEI).
Electricity sales: The electricity generated by the Penonome Wind Farm is sold to the state-owned electricity grid operator, Empresa de Transmisión Eléctrica S.A. (ETESA), under a long-term power purchase agreement. The terms of the agreement were not publicly disclosed, but it is understood to provide a stable and predictable revenue stream for the wind farm's owners.
Economic impact: The Penonome Wind Farm is expected to have a significant positive impact on the local economy, creating jobs and supporting local businesses. During the construction phase, the project created over 500 jobs, and once operational, it is expected to support around 80 permanent jobs. The wind farm is also expected to contribute to reducing greenhouse gas emissions in Panama and to help the country meet its target of generating 70% of its electricity from renewable sources by 2050.
The Penonome Wind Farm represents a significant investment in renewable energy infrastructure in Panama, and is expected to deliver both economic and environmental benefits over the long term.
Penonome Wind Farm Panama - Energy Contribution
The Penonome Wind Farm in Panama is one of the largest wind energy projects in Central America, with a total installed capacity of 215 MW.
Here are some details on the energy contribution of the wind farm:
Electricity generation: The Penonome Wind Farm generates electricity by harnessing the power of the wind to turn turbines and generate electricity. The wind turbines at the site are designed to maximize energy production while minimizing environmental impact, and are capable of generating enough electricity to power over 100,000 homes.
Renewable energy: The electricity generated by the Penonome Wind Farm is 100% renewable, meaning that it is generated from a clean, sustainable source of energy that does not produce greenhouse gas emissions or other harmful pollutants. By generating clean energy, the wind farm is helping to reduce Panama's dependence on fossil fuels and to mitigate the impacts of climate change.
Energy output: The wind farm has an annual energy output of approximately 500 GWh (gigawatt-hours), which represents a significant contribution to Panama's electricity supply. The wind farm is capable of meeting approximately 5% of Panama's total electricity demand, and is helping to diversify the country's energy mix by adding more renewable energy to the grid.
Environmental benefits: The Penonome Wind Farm is helping to reduce greenhouse gas emissions in Panama and to promote sustainable development in the region. By generating clean, renewable energy, the wind farm is helping to reduce the country's carbon footprint and to mitigate the impacts of climate change. The wind farm is also helping to conserve natural resources by reducing the need for fossil fuels and by promoting the use of clean, sustainable energy sources.
The Penonome Wind Farm is a significant contributor to Panama's energy supply, generating clean, renewable energy that helps to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and promote sustainable development in the region.
Conclusion for Penonome Wind Farm Panama Review
The Penonome Wind Farm in Panama is a significant renewable energy project that has contributed to the diversification of the country's energy mix and the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions. With a total installed capacity of 215 MW, the wind farm generates clean, renewable energy that is capable of meeting approximately 5% of Panama's total electricity demand.
The wind farm is a testament to the power of international collaboration, with a consortium of developers from Spain and Central America working together to bring the project to fruition. The project has also attracted financing from international development banks, demonstrating the importance of public-private partnerships in promoting sustainable development.
The Penonome Wind Farm is not only delivering environmental benefits, but also economic benefits for the local community, creating jobs and supporting local businesses. Overall, the project represents a significant investment in renewable energy infrastructure in Panama, and is helping to pave the way for a more sustainable and prosperous future for the country.
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