The International Gas and Energy Forum (IGEF) 2025 held in Panama City from 2-4 April brought together representatives from Central America’s Regional Electricity Market (MER) institutions, including the Regional Commission for Electricity Interconnection (CRIE) to discuss strategies for strengthening the region’s power system. GET.transform is among the European technical assistance programmes and region partners with in strengthening the market and they shared expert insights at the event.
Michael Mechlinski, Regional Window Coordinator at GET.transform, presented the European Union’s Global Gateway Investment Agenda (GGIA) and its role in modernising the MER framework. A specific focus lies on the support to local regulators like CRIE in developing regulations for energy storage and establishing an auxiliary services market in Central America. This will help to improve grid reliability and facilitate the integration of renewable energy sources such as solar and wind. Delivered in a Team Europe approach, the activities unite EU institutions, member states, and financial partners to globally coordinate and pull resources for development, infrastructure, and investment projects.
Throughout the discussions, participants underscored the critical importance of regional cooperation. There was a consensus that deeper electricity market integration across Central American countries is essential for improving energy security and accelerating the deployment of renewable energy technologies.
The event concluded with a shared commitment to advancing regulatory reforms and infrastructure investments, laying the groundwork for a more resilient, reliable, and sustainable electricity market in Central America.
