The first unit of AES's 223-MW Changuinola hydropower project in Panama is scheduled to begin operations in September, wire services reported.

The hydroelectric project will use water from the Changuinola River in Bocas del Toro province. The second unit is expected online by October, officials told Business News Americas.

Panama is developing 16 hydroelectric power projects with a total of investment of more than US1 billion to satisfy domestic power demand, news outlets reported earlier this year.

These private sector projects are expected to be completed by 2015. The new hydro projects are expected to add 700 MW of capacity to the power grid.

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