Conelec set to award hydro contract, wind deal signed

Quito-based consultancy Astec is in the running to win a call for bids from Ecuador's power planning authority Conelec to carry out inventory studies for 10 medium capacity hydro projects, BNamericas has learned. If awarded the contract, the company will have 150 days to submit the study results, which will be used to determine whether the projects are shelved for future reconsideration or definitively, or proceed to prefeasibility. The proposed plants are Pilatón-Santa Ana (36MW, Pichincha province), Intag 1 (41MW, Imbabura), Corazón (11.5MW, Pichincha), Cinto (18.7MW, Pichincha), Cuyes (47.2MW, Morona Santiago), Escudillas (27.3MW, Imbabura), Pamplona (19.7MW, Imbabura), Los Bancos (31.3MW, Pichincha), Mira 1 (45.5MW, Carchi) and Chota (75.3MW, Carchi). The work aims to update information from a Conelec energy resources inventory published in 2009. In other procurement news, the national preinvestment institute (INP) signed a 22-month contract with Gas Natural Fenosa to carry out prefeasibility and feasibility studies, and the definitive EIS for the 15MW García Moreno wind project planned for Carchi province.