Panama, in energy crisis, closes schools, universities
Panama, in energy crisis, closes schools, universities
by Staff Writers
Panama City (AFP) May 7, 2013
Up against the wall in a drought-sparked energy crisis, Panama said Tuesday it would shut high schools and universities for three days, in a desperate bid to reduce power usage.
The Central American nation of 3.6 million has a booming economy -- Latin America's fastest-growing at 10 percent a year.
But it depends heavily on power from hydroelectric plants fueled by water and the rainy season is a month late, part of an increasingly common pattern scientists and forecasters have linked to climate change.
Government officials have been warning that the country, which normally has water to spare, is now perilously close to having to ration power, and are trying anything and everything to avoid that.
More:
http://www.terradaily.com/reports/Panama_in_energy_crisis_closes_schools_universities_999.html
