RRA and CECCA Panama Workshops: Integrating Renewables in Central America

A series of workshops, held 24-28 October 2016 in Panama City, were designed to support the deployment of renewable energy in Central America.  The activity led by the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA) was implemented in partnership with Panama National Energy Secretariat, and the Panamanian Government, the UN Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean (CEPAL) and the German International Cooperation Agency (GIZ), this first-of-its-kind effort convened key energy stakeholders to tackle the challenge of integrating more renewable energy into regional power systems. Participants included Central American Integration System Member States, regional and national electric utilities, distributors, operators, regulatory authorities, and other power system players.

The week began with a two-day Renewable Readiness Assessment Workshop focused on the challenges and opportunities Panama faces in scaling up its renewable energy capacity. Participants assessed the impact of integrating larger shares of renewables into national electricity systems and the regional interconnection infrastructure. The week concluded with a three-day workshop focused on national and regional strategies to advance the deployment of renewables in Regional Electricity System (SIEPAC). Participants discussed the policy, regulatory framework and technical challenges ahead in integrating higher shares of variable renewable energy into the energy system.

The event was implemented as part of the Clean Energy Corridor of Central America (CECCA).

Presentations from the workshops can be downloaded from the table below.