Ecuador’s Ministry of Electricity and Renewable Energy again extended the deadline for bids to perform studies and detailed design of the 4,000-MW Zamora hydroelectric complex. Bids now are due May 18.
Business News Americas reported the ministry extended the bidding deadline from the previous date of March 18. (HNN 2/2/09) Late last year, the ministry reopened bidding for the work, on Ecuador’s Zamora and Namangoza rivers, with a deadline of February 2. It originally called for bids by November 5.
The ministry plans to contract with a consultant to perform technical and economic pre-feasibility and feasibility studies as well as detailed design of the Zamora complex (Lower Course), which could include 20 hydroelectric projects, 90 percent of which would be in Morona Santiago Province. The ministry called Zamora the largest and most important hydroelectric development in Ecuador.
Although the budget allocated for the work is US$29.45 million, the ministry said it would invest US$40 million to complete the studies and final design. Funds are to come from Ecuador’s energy and hydrocarbon investment fund, Fondo Ecuatoriano de Inversion en los Sectores Energetico e Hidrocarburifero (FEISEH).
Work to begin with 1,200-MW San Juan Bosco
The ministry said the studies initially would focus on the most important project in the complex, the 1,200-MW San Juan Bosco hydro project. The consultant is to perform additional geological, geophysical, and geotechnical studies of the San Juan Bosco site. If the site proves unsatisfactory, the consultant is to recommend a new location for the project.
Once the San Juan Bosco site is established, a pre-feasibility study is planned between it and the confluence of the Zamora and Namangoza rivers outlining technical and economic aspects of the functioning of the hydraulic system as a whole. The consultant is to submit alternative hydro developments.
The consultant also is to develop final technical specifications, an economic evaluation, and terms of reference and documents for recruitment of construction companies for the project.
Tender documents, in Spanish, may be obtained from Ecuador’s public solicitation Internet site, www.compraspublicas.gov.ec, or from the address below. The direct Internet link to the document package is www.compraspublicas.gov.ec/ProcesoContratacion/app/webroot/compras/ProcesoContratacion/informacionProcesoContratacion.php?idSoliCompra=9354.
Two-envelope bids, with technical and economic proposals, now are due by 3 p.m. May 18.
For information, contact Ing. Julio Gordon L., Presidente de la Comision Tecnica de Consultoria, Subsecretaria de Gestion de Proyectos, Ministerio de Electricidad y Energia Renovable, Avda. Eloy Alfaro 29-50 y 9 de Octubre, Piso 5, Edificio Beltran, Quito, Ecuador; (593) 2-2507456; E-mail: [email protected], [email protected]; Internet: www.mer.gov.ec.
