“Natural Gas: An Indispensable Element of the Energy Transition…

AES's Innovative Approach to Natural Gas in Latin America…

“Through the veins of Panama flows a symphony of life, where art beats like a tireless drum. Here, Rubén Blades rises not merely as a singer but as a griot of concrete and steel, his "Pedro Navaja" dancing through alleys and across continents, becoming the whispered prayer of a thousand Latin American nights.

When Carnival descends, the nation sheds its ordinary skin. Polleras spin like painted clouds, their delicate fabric catching whispers of ancestral stories. Tambourines pulse with the heartbeat of history, while laughter – pure and bright as morning – cascades through streets transformed into rivers of joy.

From the humble streets of El Chorrillo emerged a warrior-poet of the ring, Roberto "Manos de Piedra" Durán. His fists, hard as the faith that forged them, carved a legend from adversity's stone. In every punch thrown and victory claimed, he embodied Panama's unwavering spirit – a testament that dreams, when fed by determination's fire, can touch the stars themselves.

Secretary of State to Unite State, Mr Marco Rubio and Mr Andres Gluski, President and CEO of AES Corporation
**Image courtesy of the Official State Department, taken by Freddie Everett. State**

AES has emerged as a pioneering force in harnessing the vast potential of natural gas throughout Latin America. The company's transformative journey in the region represents a carefully orchestrated strategy to revolutionise energy infrastructure while promoting sustainable development and economic growth.

This remarkable transformation began in 2003 with the establishment of AES Andres in the Dominican Republic. This groundbreaking facility, representing a $650 million investment, introduced the first Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) infrastructure to the Caribbean. AES Andres combines a latest 319 MW combined-cycle power plant with an LNG terminal featuring a 160,000m³ storage tank, setting new standards for energy efficiency and environmental responsibility in the region.

Building on this success, AES expanded its regional presence in 2019 with the inauguration of AES Colón in Panama. This $1.15 billion investment established Central America's first LNG facility, featuring a 180,000m³ storage tank and a 381 MW power plant. The strategic location of AES Colón has transformed Panama into a crucial energy hub, facilitating natural gas distribution throughout Central America and beyond.

The synchronised evolution of these two energy centres demonstrates AES's profound understanding of Latin America's unique energy challenges and opportunities. Both facilities are more than mere power plants—they function as comprehensive energy hubs that have reshaped regional energy dynamics.

These facilities have proven so successful that they have catalysed even more ambitious growth plans. The Dominican Republic hub is now exploring the possibility of exporting electricity to Puerto Rico, which is urgently needed.

Looking ahead, these strategic investments position AES at the forefront of Latin America's energy transformation, demonstrating how innovative infrastructure development can drive sustainable growth while strengthening regional integration and energy security. The company's continued commitment to expanding and enhancing these facilities ensures their role as crucial pillars in the region's ongoing energy revolution.

“AES Corporation has been instrumental in transforming the energy landscape of the Caribbean and Panama region, according to its CEO, Andrés Gluski. "Our leadership in the region actively supports governmental policies that foster economic growth and sustainability in the energy sector," he explained. "This approach has enabled us to support the development of the two fastest-growing economies while strengthening trade relationships between the United States and the region."

Hello everyone…

In Spanish, the verb 'flipar' has undergone a fascinating evolution. While the Royal Spanish Academy (Real Academia Española) defined it as 'to be under the influence of drugs,' its meaning in contemporary Spanish has shifted dramatically. Modern colloquial usage is more often used to express amazement, astonishment, or extreme impressiveness about something.

This Saturday, we watched “The Brutalist”, a three-and-a-half-hour epic structured film with an overture, two acts, and epilogue. Brady Corbet directed it, and Adrien Brody, who won an Academy Award for Best Actor in “The Pianist”, delivered an outstanding performance.

The film tells the life of László Tóth, a Hungarian-Jewish Bauhaus architect and Holocaust survivor who immigrated to the United State during the 1950s. While the term 'immigrant' refers to someone who moves to a new place intending to settle there, forced immigration—as experienced by millions during the Soviet era—represents a much more traumatic upheaval. The narrative explores how Mr. Tóth navigates the challenges of adapting to American life while confronting antisemitism and the profound psychological impact of being a displaced person whose soul has been torn apart by circumstances beyond their control.

I was interested in seeing the film because of the Bauhaus movement, which has been our inspiration in life, alongside the indiscerptible of jazz and maybe the attempt to move away for a moment from the text that has been worked on.

We emerged from the theater, not —-flipando—-, worst in a state of visceral anxiety, struck by a devastating realization: we are collectively blind to the tectonic shifts reshaping our world order. What the film revealed, through its historical lens of the 1950s, eerily mirrors our present predicament.

China, the colossus that once stood behind its ancient wall, has silently woven itself into our daily existence. We've surrendered our industrial autonomy to its manufacturing supremacy, building a profound dependency that we convinced ourselves it was an immutable law of nature rather than a strategic vulnerability. This wilful naivety, this collective self-deception, emphasises our inability to confront uncomfortable truths.

Meanwhile, Russia—the heir to the Romanov legacy—finds itself paradoxical. Despite its fierce rhetoric and nuclear arsenal, it grapples with exhaustion, forcing it to seek alliances that would have been unthinkable a generation ago. Its actions betray a desperate attempt to maintain relevance in a world where economic might increasingly overshadows military power.

Europe, cradle of the Enlightenment and the Industrial Revolution, has retreated into dangerous complacency. Like an ageing aristocrat, it reclines on the faded cushions of past glories, seemingly oblivious to the gathering storm. Its comfortable torpor masks a dangerous decline in influence and strategic autonomy.

The implications are stark: We may face a moment of reckoning where extraordinary, perhaps desperate measures become our only recourse. The multipolar world order we've taken for granted—this delicate balance of powers—teeters on the edge of collapse. Without decisive action, we risk awakening to find ourselves in a unipolar world, where the diversity of global perspectives and interests has been subsumed under a single dominant force.

This isn't a geopolitical theory - it's an urgent reality that demands immediate attention and response. The comfortable illusions we've built around ourselves are beginning to crumble, revealing the harsh contours of a world in transition.

The reality of our changing global economy can no longer be ignored. Our previous illusions about seamless international trade and cooperation give way to a more complex understanding of economic interdependence and its implications for global power distribution.

President Trump stated a day ago, during his remarks on tariffs, "We may have to paint, but unfortunately, it is necessary.,, Maybe, Mr Trump is in the need to take decisive, even urgent measures to prevent our multipolar world from collapsing- into a unipolar one. Our comfortable illusions can no longer shield us from this reality.

A pressing challenge looms, growing more contentious daily: charting a balanced course for our energy sector's future. The electrical industry faces mounting pressure to find viable solutions, as power demands surge with unprecedented urgency, requiring immediate action and long-term vision.

We've meticulously gathered diverse perspectives on the sector's current state, examining each position with careful objectivity. The path through this critical transition demands more than just technical solutions—it requires support, understanding, and pragmatic thinking. Success lies not in confrontation but in discovering the common ground where competing interests can flourish together.

That say:

Humanity has faced numerous tumultuous periods marked by suffering, upheaval, and change, much like today's chaotic world. The fall of the Roman Empire in the fifth century plunged Europe into the Dark Ages, characterised by fragmented governance and cultural stagnation. The Black Death in the fourteenth century decimated a third to half of Europe's population and dismantled feudalism, paving the way for new social structures. The Thirty Years' War in the 17th century brought chaos, famine, and disease, reshaping the political landscape of Central Europe. The 20th century witnessed immense devastation from World War I and the Spanish Flu, which resulted in millions of deaths and further global unrest. This turmoil peaked in World War II, the most catastrophic conflict in human history, marked by the unimaginable horrors of the Holocaust, the advent of atomic warfare, and the loss of tens of millions. The aftermath birthed the Cold War, a tense standoff between superpowers that cast a shadow over the world, threatening nuclear disaster and igniting proxy wars in distant lands. Now, as we navigate the 2020s, we find ourselves grappling with new challenges: the COVID-19 pandemic has disrupted lives and economies across the globe, while climate change, political divides, and the rapid rise of technologies such as "AI” add layers of complexity to an already precarious world.

However, amid the chaos, these turbulent times have often served as crucibles for progress, igniting innovation, resilience, and societal evolution. Humanity's remarkable capacity to adapt and rebuild in adversity is a shining testament to our indomitable spirit.

Indeed, we must consider the juxtaposition at all costs...

How can we find the juxtaposition today… When, on one side, lie Shakespeare’s enchanting reflections—a realm where fairies meddle in human affairs, lovers meander through magical forests, and reality blurs seamlessly with illusion. These thoughts, crafted over four centuries ago, unveil the play’s revelry in themes of love’s folly, the transformative power of imagination, and the harmonious resolution of chaos. At its core, it offers a hopeful vision of human connection, where even the most tangled conflicts may dissolve into laughter and reconciliation. It is almost sure that Shakespeare considered Plato's ideas on democracy and the Epicurean Garden of Happiness when reflecting on our ultra-fragile human soul.

In stark contrast, the ominous "Terrible 2024 YR4" drifts aimlessly through the galaxy, utterly lost and devoid of any clear destination. With only a one percent chance—though no one can honestly know—of reaching Earth and delivering devastating speed in mere milliseconds, its presence is a harbinger of uncertainty. That rogue stone hurtling through space carries the weight of a future steeped in existential dread—a year defined by collapse, decay, and the relentless, unchecked expansion of technology, for better or worse.

Envisaged as a dystopian tipping point, it may symbolise climate catastrophe and societal fragmentation. In this context, nature ceases to be a sanctuary and becomes a casualty. In these difficult times, our relationship with the environment becomes more complicated when two opposing visions emerge. One insists that natural disasters have always shaped the world, invoking ancient tales like —Noah’s Ark— to justify inaction. The other warns of a developing catastrophe, urging humanity to confront climate change before it is too late, pointing to recent disasters like the devastating floods in Valencia. Spain is confronting a dual climate crisis: persistent drought and violent weather events called: —Cold drop—.

What is the nature of this phenomenon? Rising temperatures to over forty-two degrees Celsius and decreasing rainfall have rendered the country increasingly arid, putting pressure on water resources, agriculture, and ecosystems. But, the “Cold drop” brings sudden, intense storms in autumn when cold air collides with warm Mediterranean moisture, leading to flash floods and devastation, especially in the eastern regions. Ironically, these downpours often fail to alleviate the drought, as parched soil cannot absorb the deluge. In the case of the “Cold Drop” in Valencia last September, the devastation was unimaginably horrific. (1)

This divide reveals another contemporary crisis beyond its technological and economic implications. The energy transition is reshaping global politics and trade, splitting the world into two competing visions for the future of electricity. This is further exacerbated by the rise of artificial intelligence and its insatiable energy demand. Data centres—the lifeblood of AI—consume staggering amounts of electricity, necessitating a reckoning with our energy future.

To confront this impending emergency, global society—comprising governments, policymakers, intellectuals, and corporate leaders alike—seeks pathways to avert disaster with urgency and, at times, desperation. Nonetheless, the debate fractures along familiar ideological lines, exacerbated by rising geopolitical conflicts, trade wars over critical resources such as uranium, and an intense race for energy sovereignty.

Two starkly opposing visions dominate: one camp insists on doubling down on fossil fuels, rallying behind slogans like “Drill, baby, drill,” while the other advocates for hybrid energy models. The latter promotes the integration of natural gas and renewables with emerging technologies like Small Modular Reactors (SMRs). The European Union has highlighted recent achievements of renewables that have demonstrated efficiency and resilience. (2) Amidst this polarization, the question remains whether cooperation can outweigh competition forging a sustainable future.

The proposal “Clean Energy Park: A New Vision of Energy from Sweden” concerns nuclear plants in combination with renewable energy, which could be one example. (3)

Amid this arduous and intense debate, two truths remain: humanity also requires power to thrive. The second is a consensus that natural gas, often called the king of fuels, is the primary transitional fuel towards a yet-to-be-defined new method for generating electricity.

The latest assertions regarding natural gas are nothing new at this stage. One of the foremost visionaries in the energy sector wisely remarked a few years ago in Davos: "Natural gas will continue to be a fundamental component of the energy transition for around twenty years; we must ensure its effective and efficient use." (4)

For Mrs Marc Andreessen and Elon Musk, — “AI” represents one of the most transformative technological revolutions in history; however, its most significant challenge is not job displacement or a robotic uprising but rather an energy revolution.

Mrs Andreessen and Musk have emphasised how the exponential growth of “AI” is driving global electricity demand to unprecedented heights. Musk has even warned that by 2025, this surge could provoke a global energy crisis characterised by soaring energy prices, increasing inflation, and the risk of large-scale blackouts if power grids cannot maintain the pace. (5)

Tech giants such as NVIDIA, Google, Amazon, and Microsoft rely heavily on “AI”, making them particularly vulnerable to energy shortages. Nevertheless, the world’s current power infrastructure is inadequate to meet this demand. While fossil fuels are dependable, they are subject to constraints imposed by environmental regulations and political pressures. In contrast, renewable sources like ***—solar and wind energy— are often —inconsistent and inefficient for supporting large-scale “AI” operations—. This assertion is not the view of the leaders in artificial intelligence technology. It is not... Back in 2016, now-President Donald Trump first mentioned “wind energy” at a campaign rally... and he has done so numerous times since... Those who were surprised on 20 January when President Trump mentioned this technology again were not paying attention... (6)

“As “AI” advances, its future will hinge on developments in machine learning and securing a stable, sustainable, and scalable energy supply. The success of “AI” is no longer just about algorithms—it is about the power that fuels them. (7)

This shift has prompted a surge in fossil fuel use, nuclear investment, and uranium demand. Notable figures such as Mrs Bill Gates and Sam Altman have emerged as new investors in atomic power stations and uranium supplies. Even Microsoft has started powering its data centres with nuclear energy, underscoring the industry’s shift towards atomic power.

A Midsummer Night’s Dream for Algorithmic Juxtapositions…

Ultimately, in a world torn apart by ideological conflicts, one might long for Shakespeare’s enchanted forest—where chaos melts away into harmony under Puck’s playful enchantment. Yet today, we possess no equivalent of Puck’s enchanted dust to swiftly resolve the spectre of black swans—those unforeseeable blows that defy prediction.

Humanity’s collective future does not hinge on our shared aspirations; it is far from it. Instead, our peril lies in the hubris of self-absorption: the relentless pursuit of primacy, the glorification of ego through self-aggrandising actions, and the transgressions we rationalise in the name of ambition. These tendencies, akin to a modern-day Athena born not of wisdom but of arrogance, threaten to unleash devastation as profound as old myths.

Therefore, we must tread carefully, lest we recklessly fling open the gates of Troy and welcome it, unintentionally leading us to our tragic fate. Yes, a sad fate… Recent history offers stark reminders of this peril. Consider Russia’s brazen invasion of Ukraine on 24 February 2022 or Hamas’s brutal assault on Israel on 9 October 2023—an act whose full implications remain shrouded in chaos. Such miscalculations, driven by fallacy and recklessness, stand as grim testaments. In short, it is we, the so-called humans, who are responsible for this type of atrocities not happening again...

The Robots of Isaac Asimov…

“However, amid the chaos, these turbulent times have often served as crucibles for progress, igniting innovation, resilience, and societal evolution. Humanity's remarkable capacity to adapt and rebuild in adversity is a shining testament to our indomitable spirit…

We now return to the world of a Belarusian born in 1920, with the soul of an American from Jewish Brooklyn: Isaac Asimov, renowned for his robots. Those robots instilled fear in our children's interpretations of Asimov's stories for teenagers...

In contrast to Asimov's robots, “AI” is not a robotic uprising but rather an energy revolution—this energy revolution must yield substantial flows of reliable and consistent electricity. How can we achieve this before making adequate transitions to a new energy world, moving from analogue to digital energy?

Unlike the dystopian robots of Isaac Asimov’s fiction, the rise of “AI” does not signal a mechanical uprising. The challenge lies in fully transitioning from our outdated analogue energy systems—centralised, fossil-fuelled, hydro, thermal, nuclear, solar, wind, and storage—to a nimble digital energy era defined by smart grids, decentralised renewables, and AI-driven optimisation.

Assume we want “AI” systems capable of advancing global health, revolutionising education, accelerating scientific discovery, and coordinating planetary defences like asteroid deflection missions (such as neutralising threats like 2024 YR4). In that case, we must draw inspiration from an unlikely source: the ingenuity of scarcity. Recall the wartime ethos of making more from less—stretching stale breadcrumbs and a lone egg into sustenance for survival and resilience. We must use all existing electrical infrastructure to support this transition period. And never forget that the fade remains uncertain before the temptation to open Trojan gating.

Once more, consider all the existing electrical technologies during this transition while bearing in mind the uncertainty that precedes the temptation of Trojan gating.

Good night to everyone from Karlstad, near the Norwegian border…

(1) https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cz7wvpyewxlo

(2) https://energy.ec.europa.eu/news/focus-eu-leading-global-energy-transition-2024-11-18_en

(3) https://energycentral.com/c/ec/clean-energy-park-new-visions-energy-world-sweden%E2%80%A6

(4) https://www.cnbc.com/video/2023/01/23/aes-chief-says-well-need-natural-gas-for-next-20-years.html

(5) Mr Elon Musk, Conference in Stavanger, Norway, held from 29 August to 1 September 2022.

(6) https://www.factcheck.org/2016/06/trumps-hot-air-on-wind-energy/

(7) Mr. Elon Musk will attend the “Bosch Connected World (BCW) Conference” in Berlin, Germany, in February 2024.

**U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio visited AES Panama's facilities**

In Colón province on 2nd February, Mr. Andrés Gluski, President and CEO of The AES Corporation, led the welcoming delegation for State Secretary Mr. Marcos Rubio. This delegation included Juan Ignacio Rubiolo, Executive Vice President and Energy Infrastructure and Leader of International Markets; Joseph Uddo, President of AES Vietnan, Madelka McCalla, Chief of Corporate Affairs; and Miguel Bolinaga, President of AES Panama. The company's local partners, Félix M. García, Gustavo García, and Manuel Estrella and Pedro Estrella, were in attendance.
**Image courtesy of the Official State Department, taken by Freddie Everett.**

In the heart of Panama's Colón province, a historic moment in international energy diplomacy unfolded as U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio visited the advanced facilities of AES Panama. This visit was more than a routine diplomatic engagement; it represented a profound exploration of transformative energy infrastructure that embodies the intricate relationship between technological innovation, international collaboration, and sustainable development.

The delegation received a warm welcome from AES Corporation's leadership, including Andrés Gluski, the President and CEO, who guided the Secretary through the company's state-of-the-art Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) storage and regasification terminal. Inaugurated in 2019, this remarkable facility represents a monumental investment of 1.15 billion dollars, designed to revolutionise energy access and distribution in Central America and the Caribbean.

The terminal’s wisdom lies in its seamless integration of international energy resources. Natural gas sourced from the United States—specifically from the Cameron liquefaction terminals in Louisiana and Freeport in Texas—powers this impressive infrastructure. This is not merely a technical achievement but a testament to modern global energy systems' complex, interconnected nature.

AES Corporation's journey in the Americas spans over three decades, having established itself as a pioneering force in energy production since the early 1990s. Their regional strategy extends beyond the Panamanian terminal, incorporating the AES Andrés LNG terminal in the Dominican Republic. This network creates a robust and flexible energy ecosystem that serves various sectors, including commercial, industrial, mining, and power generation.

The company's vision transcends immediate energy supply. By positioning natural gas as a crucial transitional energy source, AES Corporation is strategically navigating the complex path towards sustainable energy solutions. Their approach acknowledges the immediate economic and industrial needs while simultaneously preparing for a more environmentally conscious future.

The scale of their operations is impressive. In 2024 alone, the corporation executed approximately 1.2 billion dollars in North American LNG purchase operations. Even more remarkable are their forward-looking projections, which anticipate potentially doubling current sales volumes within the next decade—a bold strategy that reflects both confidence and commitment to regional energy development.

The infrastructural capacity of AES Corporation's terminals is unprecedented in Central America and the Caribbean. With an annual storage capacity of 5 million tons—equivalent to about 260 tera BTU—these facilities offer unmatched flexibility. They represent more than mere storage; they are dynamic "plug and play" platforms capable of rapidly responding to emerging power generation needs and economic growth.

Secretary Rubio's visit encapsulates the broader narrative of international cooperation. It vividly illustrates how strategic partnerships can drive technological innovation, economic development, and sustainable progress. The AES Panama facility is not just an energy infrastructure project; it is a blueprint for how nations can collaborate to address the complex challenges of energy security, economic growth, and environmental sustainability.

By bridging technological excellence, strategic investment, and diplomatic engagement, AES Corporation demonstrates a holistic approach to energy development. Their work in Panama and the broader Caribbean region is a compelling case study of how innovative corporations can act as catalysts for positive, transformative change in the global energy landscape.

**You can't possibly deny me...**

**Have a wonderful day filled with good health, happiness, and love…**

Caribbean Natural Gas: A Vital Resource in Unpredictable Times…

In December 2023, Energy Central recognized outstanding contributors within the Energy & Sustainability Network during the 'Top Voices' event. The recipients of this honor were highlighted in six articles, showcasing the acknowledgment from the community. The platform facilitates professionals in disseminating their work, engaging with peers, and collaborating with industry influencers. Congratulations are extended to the 2023 Top Voices: David Hunt, Germán Toro Ghio, Schalk Cloete, and Dan Yurman for their exemplary demonstration of expertise. - Matt Chester, Energy Central

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**Have a wonderful day filled with good health, happiness, and love…**

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Natural Gas Terminal AES ANDRES, located in the Dominican Republic. Image provided by AES Dominicana.

Andrés Gluski, President and CEO of AES, articulated this perspective during the World Economic Forum held in Davos, Switzerland, in January 2023, stating, "I am confident we will need natural gas for the next 20 years." He further emphasized, "We can start blending it with green hydrogen today."

AES Panamá Complete Transformation…

“Panama: A Place Were Culture and Nature Dance Together…

Panama is a living testament to the power of cultural convergence. Over centuries, the spirits of Indigenous peoples, African descendants, Spanish colonisers, Arab merchants, and Jewish communities have intertwined to create something uniquely “Panamanian”. This cultural tapestry reflects the country's extraordinary biodiversity, with each thread representing a different ecosystem, from the misty heights of the Chiriquí highlands, where award-winning coffee plants thrive in the volcanic soil, to the embrace of two oceans that bestow the nation with over 1,500 miles of coastline.

The heart of this nation beats strongest in Panama City, founded in 1519 during the Spanish colonial period. Within its bounds lies Casco Viejo, a UNESCO World Heritage Site serving as a living colonial architecture museum. Here, each weathered cobblestone tells stories of pirates, traders, and dreamers, while restored buildings showcase a harmonious blend of Spanish, French, and Caribbean architectural influences. The district's transformation from a declining neighbourhood to a vibrant cultural centre represents Panama's ability to honour its past while embracing its future.

Modern Panama City has transformed into a sophisticated financial nexus, where gleaming skyscrapers accommodate international banks and corporations. The Colón Free Zone exemplifies this economic vitality, operating as the largest free trade zone in the Western Hemisphere and the second largest in the world. This commercial hub handles over $30 billion in imports and exports annually, linking merchants from around the globe.

The country's maritime treasures rival its terrestrial wonders. The San Blas archipelago, home to the Guna Indigenous people, comprises 365 islands—one for each day of the year—where traditional customs remain vibrantly alive. In Bocas del Toro, Caribbean culture merges with eco-tourism, creating a unique destination where visitors can spot red-eyed tree frogs in the morning and dance to calypso rhythms at sunset.

Panama's cultural vitality pulses through its artistic expressions. Rubén Blades, more than just a musician, emerges as a storyteller who captured Panama's urban soul in "Pedro Navaja," a narrative that transcended borders to become a Latin American anthem. During Carnival, the nation transforms into a living canvas of cultural expression, where the swishing of polleras (traditional dress) mingles with the beats of tambourines and the joyous laughter of revellers. In sports, Roberto "Manos de Piedra" Durán represents the indomitable Panamanian spirit, rising from the streets of El Chorrillos to become a boxing legend whose victories symbolised the triumph of determination over circumstance.

Crowning these elements is the footprint of water crowned by an engineering masterpiece that does more than connect oceans—it embodies human perseverance and innovation. This 88-kilometre waterway, completed in 1914 and expanded in 2016, handles about 5% of world maritime commerce, allowing vessels carrying up to 14,000 containers to transit between oceans. In many ways, this unique footprint of waater mirrors Panama: a bridge between worlds, a connection point for cultures, and a symbol of how natural barriers can be transformed into pathways for human cooperation.

Panama continues to evolve through this remarkable fusion of elements—cultural diversity, natural splendour, historical significance, and modern innovation—while maintaining its essential character as a crossroads of the world, where the past and future meet in harmonious coexistence.

“The cosmic vision of AES about the future of energy…

Since 1999, AES has played a crucial role in Panama's energy landscape, initially overseeing the Bayano, La Estrella, and Los Valles hydroelectric plants. Building on its successful natural gas operations in the Dominican Republic, AES strategically enhanced its presence in Panama in 2018 by constructing the Colón power plant—Central America's first Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) facility, with an impressive generation capacity of 381 MW. Operational since 2019, this plant established Panama's inaugural LNG hub, featuring a large 180,000 m³ storage tank and maritime reception terminal.

The Generadora Gatun project represents another significant step in the evolution of Panama's energy infrastructure. This natural gas-fired power generation initiative, which began construction in March, secured a robust 20-year fuel supply contract at stable, competitive rates. The agreement promises to reduce costs by 20% compared to current market prices, with natural gas sourced from the United States and Qatar—the world's leading LNG exporters.

The financial and environmental implications of these investments are profound. Panama is positioned to save over US$150 million annually compared to traditional fuel oil and LNG generation at current market rates—translating to an estimated US$3 billion in savings over two decades. Furthermore, these strategic investments will deliver substantial environmental benefits, reducing CO2 emissions by over 2.2 billion tonnes annually by adopting cleaner natural gas technology.

“The drought…

The strategic water footprint is among the world's most vital maritime routes, necessitating substantial electrical power for its operations. However, Panama faces a critical challenge: its heavy reliance on hydroelectric power.

The delicate interplay between water availability and energy generation presents a fundamental challenge for Panama's infrastructure and economy. While water is theoretically renewable, its accessibility depends on natural precipitation patterns, which are becoming increasingly unpredictable in our changing climate. In other words: “It depends on the fickle and temperamental clouds, which must be inclined to release their bounty… The economics of water-dependent power generation reveal a paradox: despite water's natural abundance, securing and managing the massive quantities required for hydroelectric production can become prohibitively expensive, especially during periods of scarcity.

Panama's recent experience with severe droughts has exposed the vulnerability of its water-dependent energy infrastructure. This challenge extends far beyond domestic concerns, as the reliable operation of the Panama Canal—a critical artery of global commerce—depends on maintaining consistent water levels. The Canal's function as a vital link between the Atlantic and Pacific oceans requires a delicate balance of water management, and any disruption to this system reverberates throughout Panama's economy and international trade networks.

In response to these challenges, AES has implemented an innovative solution by introducing natural gas into Panama's energy matrix. This strategic diversification serves as a crucial buffer against the uncertainties of water-dependent power generation. By establishing a reliable alternative energy source, AES has helped create a more resilient power infrastructure that can maintain consistent operations even during periods of drought. This transformation not only strengthens Panama's energy security but also helps ensure the continued smooth operation of the Panama Canal, thereby supporting both national economic stability and global maritime trade.

Integrating natural gas represents more than an energy solution; it demonstrates how technological innovation and strategic planning can address complex environmental and economic challenges. Through this initiative, AES has assisted Panama in building a more sustainable and reliable energy future, ensuring that this crucial gateway for international trade can continue to serve its vital role in the global economy, regardless of climatic conditions.

In “horabuena” AES and AES Panama, cheers…

Exploring the Contrast between Shakespeare’s “A Midsummer Night's Dream” and Asteroid 2024 YR4…