Edelca calls for Tocoma turbine bids

Venezuelan state-owned generator Edelca will accept bids through July 15 for the design, construction, installation and testing of 10 Kaplan turbines for its 2,200MW Tocoma hydro project, according to company information. Edelca will take about one year to test the designs and choose a winner, Edelca spokesperson Rosa Fernandez told BNamericas, adding the turbines must be built to Edelca specifications. The turbines contract is the third bidding process for Tocoma, Fernandez said, adding "The project is advancing, the river's course has been diverted and the area where the plant will be constructed is practically dry." Edelca plans to call for construction bids in late 2004, Fernandez added. Tocoma is 19km downstream from Edelca's Guri plant on the river Caroni in Bolivar state, and will generate 10,200GWh a year from the 2012 start date. According to previous reports, the project will require investment of US$2bn.