AES Panama Shares International Experience on Smart Water Use at “Water 4.0 – Life in Development” Event

June 28, 2025

June 28, 2025

AES Panama played a key role in the Water 4.0 – Life in Development event, held from June 26–28 at the Instituto Técnico Superior Especializado (ITSE) campus in Tocumen. Organized by the National Council of Private Enterprise (CoNEP), the event had an innovative approach and brought together authorities, business leaders, productive sectors, companies, scientists, entrepreneurs, students, and international organizations to promote a new vision for water resources.

Miguel Bolinaga, President of AES Panama, gave a presentation sharing the company's experience in Panama and other regions, emphasizing the importance of building a culture of intelligent water use. He explained how AES’s run-of-the-river hydroelectric model harnesses water’s power without altering its natural course, ensuring minimal environmental impact and higher sustainability.

In Chiriquí province, AES Panama operates a hydroelectric complex of three run-of-the-river plants contributing 222MW out of the 835MW of 100% renewable energy generated nationwide. These plants channel river flow through turbines and return it immediately to its natural course—unlike large traditional dams that store vast water volumes.

This model maximizes energy use while minimizing environmental impact on aquatic and riverside ecosystems. In Chiriquí, known for its biodiversity, this allows clean and continuous power generation while preserving river ecosystems.

“AES understands that water is not just an energy resource, but also an environmental and social one. That’s why our hydro operations include: Watershed management projects to preserve water quality and quantity; environmental mitigation plans that respect ecosystems; and community engagement through education, potable water access, and rural electrification programs,” said Bolinaga. He also highlighted AES Chile’s Alto Maipo plant as a model of positive impact, technical innovation, and environmental responsibility.

AES Panama’s exhibit space allowed visitors to learn how hydroelectric plants work, discover monitoring tools, and explore social transformation projects carried out by Fundación AES Panamá in nearby communities.

Through this participation, AES Panama reaffirms its commitment to the country's sustainable development by promoting integrated natural resource management that combines clean energy, technological innovation, and social transformation.