Guatemala utility Instituto Nacional de Electrificacion (INDE) plans to request bids soon to complete studies of the 181-MW Xalala hydroelectric project on Guatemala’s Chixoy River.
INDE board member Rodolfo Alegria told Business News Americas the utility intends to issue a tender solicitation before Guatemala’s next government takes office. Elections are scheduled September 9, with the new government to take office in January.
Studies are to include technical, social, and environmental details to be incorporated into a feasibility study of the project, to be built in Baja Verapaz Department. (HNN 2/15/07)
In 2005, the utility awarded a contract to Ingetec of Colombia to update pre-feasibility and feasibility studies for Xalala, then listed as 330 MW; the 135-MW Serchil project on the Chixoy; and the 440-MW Chulac project on the Cahbon River.
For information, contact Instituto Nacional de Electrificacion, 7th Ave. 2-29, Zone 9, Guatemala City, Guatemala; (502) 2-4221800; Fax: (502) 2-4222040; Internet: www.inde.gob.gt/inde.htm.
