Bolivia commissions 55-MW hydropower plant

Bolivia's government has switched on the 55-MW San Jose I hydropower plant (HPP), thus increasing the country's total power supply to 2,155 MW from 2,100 MW.

This is the first of two phases that will make up the San Jose HPP. The Phase I project required an investment of USD 139 million (EUR 113.6m). The entire HPP will cost USD 278 million, the government said.

San Jose I, which consists of two 27.5 MW vertical axis turbines, is located in the municipality of Colomi, Cochabamba department. The second phase is expected to have an installed capacity of 69 MW, adding a total of 124 MW to the country's grid.

Currently, the country has more than 700 MW of energy reserves. President Evo Morales stated that due to its excess energy, Bolivia is prepared to become the energy center of South America.

(USD 1 = EUR 0.817)

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