Expert sees hurdles for Colombia-Panama power link

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Colombia’s proposed electricity interconnection with Panama faces unresolved political, technical and market barriers that raise questions about its viability, a former senior official told BNamericas.

The US$800 million (mn) project would enable cross-border electricity trade via a 500km high-voltage direct current (HVDC) transmission line between Cerromatoso, in Colombia’s Córdoba department, and the Panamá II substation on the northeastern outskirts of Panama City.

"The project does have a lot of interest, but it is very complicated for several reasons,” Camilo Quintero, a former director of energy regulator Creg, said in a telephone interview.

"From an environmental standpoint, you have to cross indigenous territory and dense jungle – a jungle that is difficult to access and difficult to manage – and which creates a very big political risk for Panama."

Source: Wikipedia