Energy Arrives in Londres: A Dream Come True for 220 People in Gualaca

July 13, 2026

For years, access to electricity was only a dream for the families of Londres, a community in the district of Gualaca. Today, that dream has become a reality. For the first time, nearly 220 residents now have access to electricity thanks to a rural electrification project developed by AES Panama, through its Foundation, in partnership with the Rural Electrification Office (OER) and with the support of Congressman Jonathan Vega. The project is bringing well-being, safety, and new opportunities to the community.

The project benefits 44 households and included the installation of 44 residential electrical connections, 29 poles or concrete structures, 16 photovoltaic systems, eight transformers, 31 public streetlights, six kilometers of primary medium-voltage lines, and three kilometers of service connections. This infrastructure will provide reliable and safe electrical service to local families.

This initiative is an example of what can be achieved when the private sector, public institutions, and communities work toward a common goal: bringing opportunities to those who need them most.

“At AES Panama, we believe that energy is much more than electricity; it is a tool to transform lives and create opportunities. Every community we connect represents another step toward a more inclusive and developed country. We are excited to know that the families of Londres will be able to write a new chapter in their lives starting today,” said Miguel Bolinaga, President of AES Panama.

The arrival of electricity will allow children and young people to enjoy better conditions for studying, provide families with greater security at night, enable the safe preservation of food and medicine, and create new opportunities to strengthen local productive activities. One notable example is a small community dairy operation, which can now run more efficiently and unlock new possibilities for economic growth for the families who depend on it.

The inauguration was marked by a heartfelt demonstration of gratitude from the community. To celebrate this historic milestone, residents organized a gathering and shared a barbecue prepared with a steer donated by the community itself. They also joined efforts to prepare food and welcome attendees. More than a formal ceremony, it was a celebration filled with joy and hope for the arrival of a service that will transform the lives of future generations.

“What excites us most is not the project statistics, but seeing the happiness of the families. The way the community chose to celebrate this day confirms that energy has the power to bring people together, open doors, and transform realities. That is the purpose that inspires us to continue bringing rural electrification to more communities across the country,” Bolinaga added.

The inauguration of the Londres project is part of AES Panama’s broader rural electrification efforts in the province of Chiriquí. Over the past year, the company has invested more than B/. 3.4 million in projects carried out in the communities of Londres in Gualaca district, and Quebrada Llana, El Bongo, and El Exquisito in Bugaba district. The Quebrada Llana project, which represents the largest investment, is scheduled to be inaugurated soon.

This commitment extends beyond the province of Chiriquí. Across Panama, AES Panama has invested more than B/. 12 million in rural electrification projects, bringing electricity to more than 1,400 homes and benefiting over 7,000 Panamanians who now enjoy better opportunities to study, work, and improve their quality of life.

In addition to lighting homes, the program has provided electricity to 19 rural educational centers, eight of which are equipped with photovoltaic systems, helping to improve learning conditions for hundreds of students in remote communities throughout the country.

For AES Panama, rural electrification means much more than building infrastructure. It means expanding opportunities, strengthening education, improving safety, enhancing healthcare services, and promoting productive activities that contribute to the economic development of communities.

These projects, carried out in partnership with the Rural Electrification Office (OER), reflect the commitment of AES Panama and its Foundation to continue building a country where access to energy serves as a driver of development and inclusion. In the case of Londres, the support of Congressman Jonathan Vega was instrumental in making this initiative possible.

With this inauguration, AES Panama reaffirms its purpose of accelerating the future of energy together, convinced that every home connected to electricity represents a new opportunity to build a better future for Panama.