AES Panamá and the OER's "Mi Primera Luminaria" Program Expands Nationally

March 7, 2026

The “Mi Primera Luminaria” program, a strategic partnership between AES Panama and the Rural Electrification Office (OER), continues to reach important milestones in its mission to bring community lighting to some of the most remote areas of Panama. With significant progress already achieved in the provinces of Los Santos, Coclé, and Herrera, the program reinforces its position as one of the country’s highest-impact social initiatives in the energy sector. 

Los Santos: A Milestone That Lit Up Hope 

The province of Los Santos was the setting for the program’s first major achievement in 2026. With the installation of 100 community streetlights in the communities of La Mina, La Paula, El Tallo, Higuerona, Oria, and the Nuario and Taboga sectors, more than 450 people, belonging to over 100 families in the districts of Las Tablas and Macaracas, gained access to lighting near their homes for the very first time. 

For these communities, which had historically never had access to electricity service, the arrival of lighting represented a tangible change: greater safety in shared spaces, improved conditions for community interaction, and a renewed sense of well-being and hope. Because when a light is switched on, the future of an entire community is illuminated as well. 

Coclé: 14 Townships Transformed Through Energy 

In February 2026, the program expanded its reach to the province of Coclé, where the installation of 100 community streetlights was completed across 14 townships (corregimientos). This second milestone benefited more than 100 low-income families, nearly 500 people in total, whose homes are located in hard-to-reach areas and had previously lacked access to electricity. 

The installation of these streetlights represented a significant improvement in the quality of life of these communities, providing greater safety, better conditions for social interaction, and new opportunities for development. For many of these families, living without electricity had been a constant reality. 

The arrival of community lighting not only transformed public spaces but also created safer environments for children, youth, and adults, allowing daily activities to continue more comfortably and securely during nighttime hours. 

Herrera: 100 Streetlights That Fulfill the Commitment 

In the province of Herrera, the program successfully completed the installation of 100 public streetlights, benefiting 100 households across 10 communities in 12 townships, located in the districts of Los Pozos, Las Minas, Ocú, and Pesé. 

With this milestone, nearly 500 people throughout the province now benefit from improved lighting, greater security, and enhanced well-being. This achievement demonstrates that “Mi Primera Luminaria” not only reaches communities in need but continues to grow and deliver sustainable impact, bringing energy to where it is needed most. 

Consolidated Program Impact 

A Commitment to Sustainable Development 

“Mi Primera Luminaria” reaffirms the commitment of AES Panama and the Rural Electrification Office to sustainable development and reducing gaps in access to basic services. The program delivers practical solutions to communities that need them most, demonstrating that energy not only lights spaces—it transforms lives. 

With each streetlight installed, both institutions continue working to promote social well-being and contribute to the progress of the country’s most remote regions, bringing hundreds of Panamanians in hard-to-reach areas closer to the benefits of electricity and the opportunity for a better quality of life. 

“When we turn on a light, we also illuminate the future of our communities. Mi Primera Luminaria is proof that strategic partnerships between the public and private sectors can generate a real and lasting impact on the lives of Panamanians,” said Miguel Bolinaga, President of AES Panama.