Environmental impact study of Phase 1 begins, with WSP

The SNDF began the Category III environmental impact study for Phase 1 with the firm WSP. Fieldwork runs from November 2025 to March 2026 to characterize current conditions and define prevention, mitigation, and compensation measures.

Background & context

A Category III environmental study is Panamá's highest impact-assessment tier, reserved for projects expected to cause significant environmental effects, appropriate for a 475 km line crossing five provinces. The four-month fieldwork window for characterizing current conditions is what has to happen before mitigation and compensation measures can be credibly designed.

WSP's environmental work sits alongside AECOM's engineering and KPMG/Steer's economic studies as the third leg of the same feasibility package Secretary Faarup later said would conclude in June 2026, so this study's findings, not yet public, are part of the package now under review.