Pacora diesel generation project is a 53.53 MW plant started out by EL PASO, which operates in the power private sector of the Republic of Panama.

Pedregal Power Company celebrated the Turnkey contract for the construction of the plant, with MAN B&W Diesel AG and BWSC Panamá S.A., in October 2001.
The Electrical Power Plant was built as a rapid execution project and following the highest technical and environmental standards, pursuant to the requirements issued by the World Bank in 1998, and other local regulations. In addition to the Turnkey construction contract, Pedregal Power Company and BWSC Panamá S.A. entered into a 15-year Operation and Maintenance (O&M) agreement but it was terminated on September 2006.
The 14-month construction period was completed by means of a highly efficient cooperation among Pedregal, EL PASO, MAN B&W, BWSC and others.
BWSC was the general contractor for the construction of the project. MAN B&W Augsburg provided three medium-speed motor generators. As local sub-contractors of BWSC Panamá S.A., COCIGE was in charge of the civil works and Celmec was responsible for the electromechanical assembly.

Pacora Power plant has been designed for continuous operation with Bunker C fuel, delivered to the plant by highway-standard fuel trucks.
The project includes a Machinery Room to home 3 motor generators. Also, mechanical and electrical attachments, a storage tank area, a fuel-treatment building, an anti-fire system and water treatment systems; storage and workshop building and a high-voltage sub-station.
The plant is connected to ETESA’s network through a 13,8/320 kV transformer located in the 230 kV sub-station, and two 230 kV transmission lines.
Close to the completion of the plant, a team of specialists of BWSC and MAN B&W conducted a complete test and start-up program, during which the efficiency of the plant was proved and the emissions proved largely in compliance with contractual warranties.

Heavy Load

The transportation of diesel engines of 320 tons each and other main components were a complex task to perform. The engines and generators were transferred from a heavy load transoceanic ship to an unloading ship that crossed the Panama Canal up to Puerto de Coquita, nearly 30 kilometers from the construction site.
Road carriage from the unloading site to the construction site was carried out along special heavy load roads. Along the 30 kilometer road from Puerto Coquita to the Pacora Project's site, 10 bridges were reinforced and over 100 lines were permanently lifted from roads so that other heavy vehicles could cross underneath.
The carriage was successfully completed in less than 2 weeks.