Chilean generator Endesa has submitted a new environmental impact assessment to environmental authorities in region VII for the construction of the 150-MW Los Condores hydropower facility, wire services reported.
The new document includes technical and environmental improvements to the original EIA approved by authorities in April 2008. Under new plans, the size and surface area of the dam will be reduced, minimizing effects on the local environment, Business News Americas reported.
Costs in the project have been upped to US$400 million from original estimates of US$270 million in 2008. The run-of-river hydro plant would use water from the Laguna del Maule reservoir and generate an estimated annual 560GWh.
Work is expected to begin next year, with operations set to start up within the next five years.
In other news, construction of European power firm GDF Suez’s 35-MW Laja run-of-river hydro plant in Chile’s region VIII is on track, with the plant projected to come online in 2012, according to company officials.
The facility will be managed by GDF Suez subsidiary Eolica Monte Redondo.
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