Panama electricity firms must improve service by October, regulator says

Panama's electricity distributors face a strict deadline this October to overhaul their services. The National Public Services Authority (ASEP) has mandated significant procedural changes, including how meter replacements are handled and how customer claims for high self-consumption are addressed.

ASEP Administrator General Zelmar Rodríguez confirmed the directive, emphasizing that distributors must implement these changes by the end of October. Beyond operational adjustments, a major shift will be the redesign of electricity bills. The goal is to make them more understandable, allowing customers to clearly grasp their energy consumption and not just the amount due.

Furthermore, the ASEP requires enhanced maintenance of the electricity distribution network to improve service quality nationwide. Rodríguez stated that the causes of service failures have been identified, and solutions are in place. The authority is closely monitoring the companies' progress and warned that non-compliance within the given timeframe will lead to sanctions.

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The distributors have as a deadline next October to deliver and implement the totality of the actions required by the regulatory entity.