‘It is irresponsible to say that the mine is to blame for the failure’

Electrical Engineer Carlos Pena Franco He described as irresponsible the assertion that the power outage on December 24 was due to Minera Panamá’s supposed connection to the National Interconnected System.

According to experts, it cannot be said that they have “removed” the system, because for its execution they need to follow a series of operational protocols.

“I’m not defending the mine, but they certainly won’t put it in 300 megawatts, which is its installed capacity, at once. They would have to start with the machines and as they start, put in the load and obviously this would be done in coordination with the dispatch center,” he explained to Nex Noticias.

Penna pointed out that the damage occurred in the Panama substation, in the capacitor battery, which knocked out the transformers of that substation and those of the associated substations. In the case of the interior, the expert said that they could have left because of the low frequency.

It is essential for the expert that Etesa conducts a comprehensive review and relies on experts from abroad who provide guidance on the latest technology.

On the other hand, Carlos Mosquera, general manager Etesahe said that such situations can happen in an electrodynamic power system.

Mosquera recognized that a maintenance plan and an investment plan that helps minimize these events must be worked on.

The engineer added that there was an explosion and smoke, but nothing that would endanger the substation, which is one of the concerns.

Another concern, according to Mosquera, is that there were no contributors involved with negative effects.

“From 200 work orders in 2019, we are now doing 5,000 preventive maintenance orders. Something has happened that we have to review to improve the plan and the operational and regulatory part. It is serious for us,” said Mosquera.