President Fernandez launches new generation tenders

Argentina's President Cristina Fernandez has launched several tenders for large generation projects to be developed across the country. Tenders were launched for the conversion of the generator turbines at the Ensenada de Barragia and Brigadier Lopez thermo plants, located in Buenos Aires and Santa Fe provinces respectively. The works will include the conversion of the plant generators into combined cycle units, adding up to 390MW capacity to the grid. Fernandez also opened the tender for construction of the Manuel Belgrano II thermo plant. The new plant will be constructed alongside the existing Manuel Belgrano facility in Campana, Buenos Aires province, and have capacity of 820MW. The president also closed the design and construction tenders for the Los Blancos I and II hydro plants in Mendoza province. Seven firms were pre-selected for participation in the tenders, which cover the construction, operation and maintenance of the two hydro complexes with combined capacity of 485MW. Investment in the scheme is due to hit US$1bn, according to the government of Mendoza province, with work expected to begin next year. During the press conference Fernandez also announced the inauguration of the 500KV El Brancho-Cobos-Resistencia-Formosa line, which connects parts of Salta and Formosa provinces with the national electricity grid. Fernandez also unveiled the expanded Loma de Lata thermo plant in Neuquen province this quarter. Owner Pampa Energia added 178MW of new capacity to the plant by launching combined cycle operations with a new steam turbine and generator at a cost of US$225mn.