Panama Suffers A National Blackout: Transformer Explosion In La Chorrera At The Pan-Am Thermoelectric Plant

A national blackout occurred in Panama just after 11:30 p.m. on Saturday, March 15. The Electric Transmission Company (Etesa) reported that at 6:08 a.m. this Sunday, a code white was declared, meaning the electrical system was fully restored, after an explosion in a transformer at a thermoelectric plant caused a nationwide blackout. One of the first to report the incident was the President of the Republic, José Rául Mulino, who was in Boquete, Chiriquí.

According to the initial report released by the Public Services Authority (ASEP), shortly before midnight, an explosion occurred in a transformer at the Pan-Am thermoelectric plant, located in La Chorrera, triggering a power grid protection system and causing a nationwide blackout. Panamanian Fire Department units arrived at the scene, as the explosion started a fire in the cellblock where the transformer was located. The damage caused a domino effect as water treatment plants were also affected by the electrical incident, which caused water service to be interrupted in many parts of the country.

The National Institute of Aqueducts and Sewers (IDAAN) reported that the Chilibre water treatment plant was one of those affected, being out of operation for several hours. However, a few minutes before the clock struck 2:00 a.m., several sectors of the country reported that they had electricity. Meanwhile, the National Energy Secretariat indicated that the recovery of the national interconnected system after an event of this magnitude requires a phased repowering to avoid overloads, so the restoration of service is being carried out in phases and based on the stability of the system. Zelmar Rodríguez Crespo, General Administrator of Asep, issued instructions to the technical staff of the National Electricity Directorate to begin investigating the incident. Finally, at 6:08 a.m. this Sunday, Etesa confirmed that the electrical system was fully restored.

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