A delegation from Paraguay’s Ministry of Industry and Commerce (MIC), led by Minister Javier Giménez and Rediex Vice Minister Javier Viveros, visited Panama’s Gatún combined cycle thermoelectric power plant as part of a trade mission focused on investment attraction and regional energy integration.
The visit coincided with Paraguayan officials’ participation in the Economic Forum organized by the American Chamber of Commerce (CAP) in Panama City. The forum centered on regional experiences in energy, industry, and infrastructure.
Minister Giménez noted that the Gatún plant has an approximate generation capacity of 700 megawatts using natural gas. He stated, “This type of plant generates electricity from gas and is key for electrical systems that need reliable backup and constant power. It is a very interesting experience for Paraguay, thinking ahead to potential regional energy integration, even with gas produced in the Vaca Muerta basin in Argentina.”
He further emphasized that combining Paraguay’s renewable energy sources with thermoelectric generation could strengthen the national electricity system by increasing stability and predictability as demand grows.
Giménez also highlighted the industrial impact of such infrastructure projects. “The installation of a thermoelectric plant like this one, as we have seen in Gatún, Panama, is not only about generating electricity, but also about industrial and productive integration. This entire region benefited from an investment of nearly $1.5 billion and all that this entails in terms of construction, supplier development, and the integration of micro, small, and medium-sized enterprises into these industrial chains, starting with a thermoelectric plant that is not only the largest in Panama but also one of the most powerful in Central America.”
He explained that plants like Gatún offer benefits such as providing firm energy to electrical systems, greater flexibility when paired with renewables, diversification of energy sources, attracting new investments, and introducing natural gas as a strategic input for industrial growth.
The MIC’s trade mission will continue with meetings aimed at positioning Paraguay as a competitive destination for infrastructure- and energy-related investments.
