Seven bids offered to study, design Ecuador’s 4,000-MW Zamora complex

Seven bids were submitted by firms to perform studies and detailed design of the 4,000-MW Zamora hydroelectric complex on Ecuador’s Zamora and Namangoza rivers.

Ecuador’s Ministry of Electricity and Renewable Energy took bids for the work May 18, 2009. (HydroWorld 3/25/09)

The ministry plans to hire 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.

The office of Ecuador President Rafael Correa said those submitting bids for the work include Technopromexport of Russia, JSC UES Engineering Center of Russia, Hyundai Engineering Co. Ltd. and SNC-Lavalin International of South Korea and Canada, Caminosca of Ecuador, Lahmeyer International of Germany, Coyne et Bellier and Pietrangeli of France and Italy, and a consortium of YREC of China, GeoData of Italy, and Integral Astec of Colombia and Ecuador.

The government said the proposals would be reviewed for experience in project studies of more than 1,000 MW, proposed development schemes, technical personnel, letters of commitment, and schedules of activity for carrying out the work.

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).

The ministry previously 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.