Ecuador govt puts up to tender 500 MW of renewables, other power projects

The government of Ecuador on Monday announced it will conduct three public selection procedures for new power projects, among them a tender to award concessions for the construction and operation of 500 MW of renewables.

In the process for renewables, also known as Bloque ERNC, the government is offering private investors the opportunity to develop hydroelectric projects of up to 50 MW, solar, wind and biomass energy plants on the concession basis. The combined investment in these projects is estimated at USD 875 million (EUR 746m), the ministry of energy and non-renewable natural resources said.

The projects can be located anywhere in Ecuador depending on the resource and on the available connection point to the National Interconnected System (SNI).

The renewables tender was known last year as Bloque ERNC 200 MW, when 200 MW of solar, wind, hydro and bioenergy were offered. In July 2021, the government raised the targeted capacity to 500 MW.

Also on the table are two separate concessions for the construction and operation of a 400-MW combined cycle natural gas plant and the Nororiental transmission system.

The 290-kilometre Nororiental line is meant to supply the oil industry in the northeast of Ecuador. The oil industry there currently consumes fossil fuels, but with the new supply line it will be delivered clean and renewable energy from the SNI, the ministry added.

The transmission project will require an investment of USD 386 million.

The official call for tenders for all three procedures will be launched in the third quarter of 2021.

(USD 1.0 = EUR 0.852)

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