Bringing Clean Energy to Panama's Most Remote Communities

The Ngäbe Buglé region of Panama has the lowest energy coverage in the country at just 4%, leaving 28,000 homes without access to electricity. Frequent outages further disrupt daily life and economic activity for those who do have a connection. This project is working to close that gap, bringing clean, reliable energy to one of Panama's most underserved regions. 

Objectives

Clean, reliable energy for the people of Ngäbe Buglé 

The project works to drive the socioeconomic development of Panama's rural population by expanding access to sustainable energy and strengthening the planning and management capacities of the Rural Electrification Office, which oversees rural electrification projects across the country. It invests in photovoltaic installations and mini-grid connections, benefiting homes, schools, health centres, public spaces and microbusinesses in the indigenous region of Ngäbe Buglé.  

The initiative places particular emphasis on the empowerment of women, with a dedicated programme for women leaders and training in the productive use of energy and social entrepreneurship. It contributes directly to the Global Gateway's commitment to providing clean energy and economic opportunities to the most vulnerable. 

Project activities

The project is structured around four areas of activity: 

• Pre-investment studies and planning
• Investments in photovoltaic installations and mini-grid connections
• Institutional and community capacity building
• Knowledge management and visibility 

(Expected) Results

The project is expected to: 

• Bring clean energy to more than 32,437 users, including households, 279 schools and 103 health facilities, through grid extensions, mini-grids and isolated renewable energy systems
• Improve living conditions and help inhabitants reduce their energy costs 

Implementing partners

Spanish Agency for International Development Cooperation (AECID) 

Inter-American Development Bank (IDB), Panamanian Government 

Related Links

https://www.programaenergiapa.com/