Case Study: AES Panamá - Eliminating Lightning Risks at the First LNG Plant in Central America

At AES Panamá, a leading company in electricity generation through natural gas in Panama and the Central American region, innovation and operational excellence are at the core of their mission. Their groundbreaking Colón plant, the first liquefied natural gas (LNG) facility in the region, stands as a testament to that commitment.

However, along with this achievement came a significant challenge—lightning storms. The plant is located in a high-impact lightning area, where frequent strikes threatened the safe operation of its facilities and posed ongoing risks to its existing protection systems.

The Challenge: Vulnerability in a Lightning-Dense Region 

With Panama ranking among the regions with some of the highest lightning densities in the world, the Colón plant faced daily exposure to potential downtime, safety hazards, and operational disruptions. Traditional lightning protection, including more than 120 Franklin rods, proved insufficient for the unique needs of this critical infrastructure.

Before implementation, AES Panamá’s engineering teams conducted extensive research and testing in company laboratories to evaluate the system’s reliability. Results confirmed that the CMCE offered the most effective and trustworthy protection for both the LNG plant and the dock facilities.

The Results: Zero Lightning Problems

In total, 26 CMCE Lightning Suppressor devices were installed strategically across the plant, enabling the removal of over 120 Franklin rods. The impact was immediate and transformative:

• Lightning-related problems were reduced to ZERO. 
• Four years after installation, the facility reports no direct strikes impacting its operations. 
• Electricity generation and dock operations remain 100% protected, ensuring reliability and safety for critical energy infrastructure.