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The Changuinola I Project is currently in its
construction stage and is scheduled to start operations in the first
quarter of 2011. To that end, AES Changuinola, S.A. has obtained all
necessary permits and has complied with the legal obligations and
procedures required by authorities, in order to receive the concession
to develop the Changuinola I Hydro Power Plant Project, of 223 MW.
Among these legal requirements formally met are:
- The Hydro Power Generation Concession has been duly granted by
the Public Services Authority (ASEP).
- The Environmental Impact Study has been duly approved by the
National Environmental Authority (ANAM), through Resolution
DINEORA-IA-086-2005 dated October 14, 2005 (modified by way of
Resolution DINEORA IA-127-06 dated December 21, 2006).
- The Contract for the Partial Management of Soil Use has also
been signed by ANAM, allowing the company to manage an area of 6,215
hectares inside the protected area Palo Seco Protected Forest
(BPPS).
In addition and based on Article 3 of Law 6 dated
February 3, 1997 -- which provides that the generation, transmission,
distribution, and marketing of power aimed at meeting permanently the
basic needs of the population are considered public utility public
services --, the development of the CHAN-75 hydro project was declared a
social interest and public project in accordance with the resolution AN
No. 1228 –Elec dated October 19, 2007, issued by ASEP.
In this manner, it has been clearly established
that AES Changuinola is in full compliance with the law as regards the
construction of a hydro power plant, in an area granted under concession
by the Panamanian State for a 20-year extendable period.
The planning of the Changuinola I hydro power
plant during its stages of construction and operation provides for all
measures, plans, and actions that are necessary to safeguard and protect
these areas in accordance with the environmental requirements of the
Panamanian nation and the good international practices that are
recognized on the matter.
During the project construction, high standards
of industrial safety are also enforced. The operation of the equipment
is supervised along with the operating performance of environmental
standards for storing and disposing of materials. Furthermore, the
safety perimeters of critical construction areas are clearly delimited.
Frequent inspections are also made to assess compliance with the safety
measures at the project site in a permanent manner.
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