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The Panama Canal Authority (ACP) is launching environmentally sustainable practices. Administrator/CEO Alberto Alemán Zubieta said: "with the application of these parameters when building at the Panama Canal, we take a step further to ensure energy efficiency, reduce water consumption, and improve recycling practices which are cornerstones of the green building concept, along with the use of renewable energy sources."
Beginning this month, all ACP works or construction projects must use sustainable design specifications contained in a specified list.
Among the measures contained in the list are the use of natural light with the application of skylight domes with heat insulation and light diffusion for spaces that do not require air conditioning. Another measure is the installation of occupancy sensors and timers to control lights in rooms such as kitchens, hallways and conference rooms.
New buildings will be aligned with the path of the sun, to minimise the exposure of the windows to the sun. The insulation requirements for walls and roofs will be increased, in order to reduce the load on air conditioning systems.
Additionally, the use of white roofs with high solar reflectivity will be required, and installation of low water consumption valves for bathrooms, faucets and fixtures.
New buildings will include areas for centralised waste recycling to simplify the logistics of collection.
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