About Us
EnfraGen first established a business development office in Panama in 2011 and began operations in 2017 through the acquisition of three run-of- river hydro plants in Panama, which have 30 megawatts of capacity. In 2023, we added six additional plants including 119 MW of run-of-river hydro plants and 19.7 MW of solar in Panama and a 49.5 MW wind farm in Costa Rica, thus increasing our total installed capacity in Central America to 218 megawatts.
Our Business
EnfraGen Central America’s plants in Panama are run-of-river hydroelectric plants and solar PV plants, both of which are proven, reliable and cost-effective renewable energy generation technologies. Our hydroelectric plants are located in one of the wettest regions in Panama, which is favorable for hydropower generation. In Costa Rica, the wind plant is located in the Guanacaste region which offers favorable year-round winds for power generation and thus provides a reliable source for renewable energy for the country.
Concepcion
Installed capacity: 10 MW
Concepcion is a run-of-river hydroelectric power plant located along the Piedra River in the Chiriquí Province in Panama. It is composed of two horizontal axis units, each with a 5 MW installed capacity.
Las Perlas Norte
Installed Capacity: 10 MW
Las Perlas Norte is a run-of-river hydroelectric power plant located along the Piedra River in the Chiriquí Province in Panama. It is composed of two horizontal axis units, each with a 5 MW installed capacity.
Las Perlas Sur
Installed Capacity: 10 MW
Las Perlas Sur is a run-of-river hydroelectric power plant located along the Piedra River in the Chiriquí Province in Panama. It is composed of two horizontal axis units, each with a 5 MW installed capacity.
Gualaca
Installed capacity: 25 MW
Gualaca is a run of the river plant on the Estí River, with 2 horizontal Kaplan turbines of 12.5 MW each.
Lorena
Installed capacity: 33 MW
Lorena uses the discharge water from Gualaca hydro power plant and has 2 horizontal Kaplan turbines, which generate 16.5 MW each
Prudencia
Installed capacity: 60 MW
Prudencia uses water from the discharge of Lorena as well as the Cochea and Papayal rivers. It has two 30 MW vertical Kaplan turbines
Prudencia Solar
Installed Capacity: 9.7 MW
Prudencia Solar is a PV plant using 25,747 solar panels, located next to Prudencia Hydroelectric Plant
Divisa Solar
Installed capacity: 9.9 MW
Divisa is a PV plant, with approximately 33,000 solar panels.
Guanacaste Wind Farm
Installed capacity: 49.5 MW
Guanacaste has 55 900-KW wind generators. It was the first wind Build, Operate, and Transfer Agreement (BOT) in Costa Rica.
Commitment to Quality, Safety, Health, and Environmental Management
At EnfraGen Central America, we are convinced that sustainable growth is only possible when our operations are carried out under the highest standards of quality, safety, occupational health, and environmental management (HSEQ). This commitment is reinforced by ethical, transparent, and socially responsible practices that integrate environmental, social, and governance (ESG) criteria throughout our entire value chain.
As part of our communication strategy with society and our stakeholders, we present our Integrated Management System Policy. This document sets forth the guidelines that reflect and support our commitment to:
- Providing a safe and healthy workplace for our employees, contractors, and visitors.
- Proactively protecting the environment by responsibly managing natural resources.
- Driving quality and continuous improvement in energy generation.
- Contributing to the energy transition towards a more sustainable and low-carbon matrix.
- Complying with applicable legal and regulatory requirements in quality, safety, health, and environment.
Leadership
Maria Karina Pinzon
Regional Director and General Manager
Mrs. Pinzon serves as the Regional Director and General Manager for EnfraGen Central America. She is an attorney with over 22 years of practice in Panama and her career path includes work in local law firms as well as in the public sector occupying roles such as attorney and counselor to the Minister of Commerce and Industry and Legal Director of the Ministry of Public Works. In the electric sector, she previously held the role of Director of Legal and Corporate Affairs for Celsia Central America. She has served as representative of the local generation companies in the National Commission of Energy Transition and has led the WEC´s electric mobility committee as well as the energy committee of the Panamanian Association of Business Executives. She earned a Bachelor degree in law from the University of Panama and one in Latin American Studies form Florida State University as well as a law master’s degree from Georgetown University and another dual master’s degree form Tulane and Francisco Marroquin Universities.
Elmar Ruecker
Vice President
Mr. Ruecker has been working within affiliates of the company since 2016. Elmar has more than 18 years of experience in project management and evaluation of renewable energy projects in Europe and Latin America with a focus on developing and evaluating hydropower projects. While at Fontin & Co. he led the coordination of several projects throughout the project lifecycle including greenfield development, operations and refurbishment of assets totaling 34 MW across 25 assets. Prior to Fontin, Elmar held several positions for a German bank in the SME and start-up finance industry. He holds a Master degree in economics from the University of Bonn, Germany.
Edward A. Cedeño
Finance Manager
Mr. Cedeño has been working in the energy sector since 2013 and has over 20 years of experience leading accounting and finance teams. He holds a bachelor’s degree in accounting, a postgraduate degree in Strategic Management, and an MBA in Human Resources from the Inter-American University of Panama. He is a certified public accountant, member of the Association of Public Accountants, and an international coach certified by Lambent do Brazil.
Cristina Ivette Tinoco
Head of Purchasing and Administration
Mrs. Tinoco has more than 25 years of experience in Panama’s electric power sector and has built a solid career in the areas of Plant Engineering, Maintenance, Business Quality, Internal Audit, and Procurement. She holds a bachelor’s degree in mechanical and industrial engineering and a Postgraduate Diploma in Management, both from the Technological University of Panama; a master’s in business with an emphasis in Finance from the Latin American University of Science and Technology; and a Specialization in Internal Auditing from UNESCPA.
María Laura Pérez
Legal Lead
Ms. Pérez Guardia is an attorney with 13 years of experience in commercial, corporate, and international law. She has served as an advisor to Panama’s Ministry of Commerce and Industry, where she participated in international agreement negotiations, and has practiced at local law firms. Her experience also includes advising multinational companies on infrastructure megaprojects. She holds a degree in Law and Political Science from Santa María La Antigua University and a Master’s degree (LL.M.) in International Business and Economic Law from Georgetown University, as well as a certificate in International Trade Law from the Singapore Judicial Academy.
Community
A strong social commitment to the community
The company focuses its corporate social responsibility plan around its stakeholders, seeking to create trust, add value and contribute to the sustainable development and the quality of life of the communities where their plants are located and of society in general. Our programs are centered around cultural and environmental awareness and healthy living.
