Conama approves La Higuera's 60MW gas-fired project in Concón

Chile's environmental authority Conama has approved local generator Hidroeléctrica La Higuera's construction of the 60MW Colmito natural gas-fired project in Concón, Region V, newspaper El Mercurio reported. The project, which will require investment of US$25mn, includes two Pratt & Whitney FT8-3 Twin Pac 30MW turbines and will use diesel as a backup fuel. The project is designed to act as a backup source of energy in Chile's central SIC grid, according to a Conama report. If natural gas supplies are reduced in the winter due to Argentine restrictions, the plant will operate with natural gas from October-April and with diesel from May-September, Conama said. Construction would start in September 2006, with the project ready for testing and commercial operations in December this year, according to Conama. Hidroeléctrica La Higuera is owned by Australia's Pacific Hydro and is based in capital Santiago.