Government to Introduce Energy Conservation Measures
By Ereida Prieto-Barreiro for the Panama America - Kuzniecky, shown in this photo with an expert on power consumption. The government will be announcing a large campaign to get people to cut back on their energy consumption next week, now that Panamanians are increasing their demand to record levels. The measure was announced by the President of the Energy Secretariat Dani Kuzniecky, who said he "has been frustrated" because Panamanians have not become aware of the problem. Nevertheless, he said private businesses will be cooperating with the measure. The Mexican energy conservation expert Odón de Buen Rodriguez called upon Panamanians to "synchronize themselves" with the problems of power delivery with "real rationing." He proposes the implementation of a new law governing the rational use of energy that would contemplate "rewarding" consumers, control construction, crossed subsidies, and verify fuel consumption. He also suggest that the energy organization be autonomous. Buen Rodriguez mentioned it is important that the Government sets and example with controlling energy consumption by turning off air conditioners one hour before the end of the work day, as well as to integrate energy saving technologies into building plans and practices. The consultant said that after the Energy Secretariat the proposed law will be presented to the Inter-American Development Bank, the Executive Council and then the National Assembly. Editor's Comment: Question: What happens when energy demand matches with total national production capacity? Answer - The lights go out (somewhere). This is the classic example of a zero-sum game. The Republic of Panama can only produce so much electricity and recently demand for power has grown to the point where people want more than what the current infrastructure can produce. One of these hot afternoons the numbers will match and, somewhere, there simply will be blackouts or brownouts. The energy distribution companies will make the decisions on who gets what and who goes without. And then all hell will break loose when the ice cream starts to melt. In reality the first time it happens it will probably only last a few hours, from about 2:00 pm until sundown.
Conserve This: Those Indians who have spent years protesting over new hydroelectric projects, complaining their lands will be flooded will be steamrolled by the greater public demand for more power. Panama might be able to buy some juice from neighboring countries like Costa Rica (I think the grids are joined now.) And, those companies in the business of generating power will continue to work to increase their total production capacity. In reality, this mini-crisis will end when the rainy season starts - people need less air conditioning in the afternoon when it's pouring down rain.
Remember La Niña (That Bitch): Normally by mid-April we are in full swing rainy season. Because of the "La Niña" ENSO condition currently in effect the rainy season is starting late. As soon as the rains start then the hydroelectric producers, and especially the Panama Canal, can relax a little and crank up their production capacity, not having to worry about having enough water in the Panama Canal to flush the ships through the locks. So, in reality, by the time this Mexican dude gets his law passed the "crisis" will be over. The energy production companies will have taken advantage of this little scare to get new governmental approvals for all kinds of new energy generation projects - including the flooding of xxx,xxx hectares of Indian lands. So there - environmentalize that.
CRISIS. Panameños no han tomado conciencia del problema
Cruzada para ahorrar energía
Ereida Prieto-Barreiro
PA-DIGITAL
Kuzniecky, con el experto en el tema energético.
Una gran cruzada de ahorro energético estará anunciando el gobierno la próximo semana, luego de que el consumo de los panameños se encuentran en sus niveles más altos.
La medida anunciada por el presidente de Secretaría de Energía, Dani Kuzniecky, obedece a que "ha sido frustrante" que los panameños no han tomado conciencia de la problemática. Sin embargo, informó que la empresa privada estará colaborando con la medida.
Por su parte, el mexicano consultor en ahorro de energía Odón de Buen Rodríguez hizo un llamado a los panameños para que "se sintonicen" con la problemática energética haciendo "verdaderos esfuerzos de racionalización".
Propone la implementación de una ley de uso racional de energía que contemplaría "premiar" a los consumidores, fiscalizar las construcciones, subsidios cruzados y verificar el consumo de combustible.
También se analiza que la entidad energética sea autónoma.
Buen Rodríguez mencionó que es importante que el Gobierno ponga el ejemplo con la racionalización en apagar los aires acondicionados una hora antes de la salida de las oficinas, así como integrar tecnologías y prácticas arquitectónicas en los edificios.
El consultor analiza junto a la Secretaría de Energía el proyecto de ley que se presentará al Banco Interamericano de Desarrollo, al Consejo Ejecutivo y luego a la Asamblea.
