PLANNED investments in the electricity transmission grid and interconnections with Central America neighbors could see the beginning of another Panama hub -- a regional power distribution center- joining, existing hubs like logistics banking and air transit.

Added to the construction of the third transmission line, estimated at $300
million-and whose works are 49% complete according to a May announcement by the Electricity Transmission Company - comes a fourth line, to be built in the Atlantic area. “This project, which is being studied by authorities at Etesa, will form a safety ring with the other three transmission lines currently extending through the center of the country." Reports CentralAmericaData

With this eventual fourth line and interconnection with Colombia, Panama will add 1300 MW of capacity in its system, having "... a 300 megawatt interconnection with Central America, which will go up to 600 megawatts, and another 400 megawatts to be built in Colombia ", with which the country would have the right conditions to buy and sell energy to any country in the region.

Anpanama.com reports that "... The CEO of ETESA, Ivan Barria, said that this means that Panama will not only receive revenue from generation and transmission, but also through energy exchanges. 'I think this is Panama's destiny, to be a place for transit and trade, as it is with the Canal and the Banking Centre and, I'm sure, as it will be with energy.'"