Argentina's Neuquén province has received five letters of interest for construction of the 480MW Chihuido I hydro project, the provincial press office said in a statement.
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Four letters came from temporary business unions (UTEs) formed by Iecsa, Pampa Energía, and Camargo Correa; Electroingeniería, Constructora OAS and Hidrocuyo; Roggio, Corsan, Coviam, Esuco and Duke Energy; and José Cartellone Construcciones Civiles and Odebrecht.
Argentine firm Industrias Metalúrgicas Pescarmona submitted an individual proposal for the project, according to the statement.
Authorities will decide by November 11 which firms can continue in the process. Bidding rules will be provided on December 9.
Technical and economic offers will be due on May 12 next year and provincial authorities hope to announce the winner in mid-2009.
The winning group will receive a concession to operate the plant for 15-25 years and ownership will then pass to the province.
The project will cost US$900mn and generate 1.8TWh/y. It is planned for the Neuquén river, 5km from where it merges with the Agrio river,.
Construction is expected to last 3-4 years.
