German turbine-maker Siemens has secured a contract to supply six SGT-800 gas turbines for installation at a flexible combined cycle power plant under development by Chinese company Shanghai Electric Group in Colón. Shanghai Electric is scheduled to complete construction at the power plant by 2020Q4, when it is due to begin delivering energy to local power distributor Martano. In a statement, Siemens Power and Gas Latin America sales region vice-president Jose Aparicio characterised the contract as “the systematic continuation of our success story in Latin America, where we are further strengthening our large share of the market”, adding that the turbines it is providing to the plant will “be able to ideally supplement fluctuating renewable energy sources”. The use of gas-fired power plants will support Panama’s transition to a low carbon economy, in keeping with its goal of having 70% of its energy derived from renewable sources by 2050.

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