The energy sector of Panama: Climate change adaptation challenges

© IRENA 2024 Unless otherwise stated, material in this publication may be freely used, shared, copied, reproduced, printed and/or stored, providedthat appropriate acknowledgement is given of IRENA as the source and copyright holder. Material in this publication that is attributedto third parties may be subject to separate terms of use and restrictions, and appropriate permissions from these third parties may needto be secured before any use of such material. ISBN: 978-92-9260-610-7 Citation:IRENA (2024),The energy sector of Panama: Climate change adaptation challenges, InternationalRenewable Energy Agency, Abu Dhabi. About IRENA The International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA) serves as the principal platform for international co-operation;a centre of excellence; a repository of policy, technology, resource, and financial knowledge; and a driver of actionon the ground to advance the transformation of the global energy system. A global intergovernmental organisationestablished in 2011, IRENA promotes the widespread adoption and sustainable use of all forms of renewable energy,including bioenergy and geothermal, hydropower, ocean, solar and wind energy, in the pursuit of sustainabledevelopment, energy access, energy security, and low-carbon economic growth and prosperity. www.irena.org Acknowledgements This report was developed under the guidance of Gürbüz Gonül (Director, Country Engagement and Partnerships,IRENA) and Binu Parthan. The document was authored by José Torón, Camilo Ramírez (IRENA) and Fernando Anaya (Consultant). Valuable inputs and comments were offered by IRENA experts, Rebecca Bisangwa, Ines Jacob, Paul Komor, SultanMollov and Gayathri Nair. The report benefited from the participation and contribution of representatives fromPanama’s Institutions, the National Energy Secretariat (SNE) and the Ministry of the Environment. Publication and editorial support were provided by Francis Field, Stephanie Clarke and Manuela Stefanides. Thereport was copy-edited by Fayre Makeig, with graphic design provided by PhoenixDesignAid. Disclaimer This publication and the material herein are provided “as is”. All reasonable precautions have been taken by IRENA to verify thereliability of the material in this publication. However, neither IRENA nor any of its officials, agents, data, or other third-party contentproviders provides a warranty of any kind, either expressed or implied, and they accept no responsibility or liability for any consequenceof use of the publication or material herein. The information contained herein does not necessarily represent the views of all Members of IRENA. The mention of specific companiesor certain projects or products does not imply that they are endorsed or recommended by IRENA in preference to others of a similarnature that are not mentioned. The designations employed and the presentation of material herein do not imply the expression of anyopinion on the part of IRENA concerning the legal status of any region, country, territory, city, or area or of its authorities, or concerningthe delimitation of frontiers or boundaries. CONTENTS 1. INTRODUCTION.................................................................................................................. 6 2.1Methodology part 1: Analysis of changes in climate variables........................................... 82.2Methodology part 2: Analysis of infrastructure at risk from extreme weather events........11 3. ENERGY INFRASTRUCTURE................................................................................................15 3.1Generation...............................................................................................................................153.2Transmission............................................................................................................................183.3Distribution.............................................................................................................................. 203.4Conventional fuel distribution terminals............................................................................... 213.5Access routes to energy infrastructure................................................................................. 22 4. RATIONALE FOR QUANTIFYING THE IMPACT OF EXTREME WEATHER EVENTS ONTHE ENERGY SECTOR.......................................................................................................23 4.1Extreme rainfall and floods................................................................................................... 244.2Droughts.................................................................................................................................. 254.3Heat waves.............................................................................................................................. 264.4Sea level rise................................................................................................