PANAMA INPUT FOR ENERGY REPORTS TO CONGRESS

UNCLAS PANAMA 000245 SIPDIS SIPDIS FOR STATE WHA/CEN - TELLO FOR STATE EEB/ESC/IEC - B. GLENN GRIFFIN E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: ABUD APER ENRG SENV SUBJECT: PANAMA INPUT FOR ENERGY REPORTS TO CONGRESS REF: SECSTATE 10743 ¶1. (U) The Economics Section handles energy related matters concerning Panama. The Economics Section has three FSOs (one economics counselor and two junior officers) and two FSNs. ¶2. (U) Energy related matters are covered by one FSO (junior officer) and one FSN. Each spend 10% of their time on energy related matters. ¶3. (U) The FSO and FSN report on energy supply needs of Panama. Specifically, the state of the hydroelectric and thermal electrical energy generators located in Panama. They maintain contact with executives from private sector energy generators and distributors. They also maintain contact with oil companies seeking to do refining work in Panama Approximately, two-thirds of Panama's energy needs are met by hydroelectric and thermal energy generators; the rest comes from imported oil. The GOP has no Energy Ministry. There is a Secretary of Energy who coordinates energy issues among various GOP ministries but has a small staff, almost no budget, and no rule making authority. ¶4. (U) Post spent no funds in FY 2007 on energy related matters. The FY 2007 pro-rata salary expense of the FSO and FSN working on energy related matters is approximately $11,000. EATON