Under the terms of the contract signed with Bolivia’s state electric company Ende, the consortium will be responsible for engineering, construction, assemblage and other tasks for the Rositas hydroelectric project in the eastern portion of the country.
Planned to be commissioned in 2024, the project will be backed by a initial $1bn financing from China's Eximbank.
Bolivia Hydrocarbons and Energy Minister Luis Sanchez was reported by Reuters as saying: "We are confident that the best Chinese companies will be involved in this very important project for all Bolivians.”
Located in the town of Cabezas, the hydro power complex will also provide drinking water for area communities as well as water to irrigate 165,000ha of farmland.
Bolivian President Evo Morales was reported by EFE as saying that the country is planning to float tenders to build eight additional hydroelectric plants in Santa Cruz and the neighboring provinces of Cochabamba and Chuquisaca.
By 2025, Bolivia intends to commence exporting more than 8,000MW to become leading energy powerhouse in South America.
Morales added: "Bolivia will generate more money with the sale of energy than with the sale of natural gas.”
Image: Bolivia intends to commence exporting more than 8GW of power starting in 2025. Photo: courtesy of markuso/FreeDigitalPhotos.net.
