Ecuador raises capacity in renewables tender to 500 MW

The government of Ecuador has raised the targeted capacity in the 2021 renewable energy tender to 500 MW from 200 MW, the ministry of energy and non-renewable natural resources announced on Sunday.

The tender process to award concessions for the construction and operation of a number of small hydro, wind, solar and biomass power projects across the country is supposed to be ongoing and due to finalise in early August 2021, according to the available timetable.

Concessions for up to 120 MW of hydroelectric stations, 30 MW of biomass-based power plants and 50 MW of wind and solar farms were being offered in the so-called Bloque ERNC 200 MW international tender, until the ministry on Sunday added 300 MW more to the wind and solar lot.

No other details about the tender were released.

The ministry of energy and non-renewable natural resources has identified specific sites across the country where the hydro, wind and solar projects could be located, and has developed for some of them detailed design, feasibility and pre-feasibility studies. According to the tender website, interested parties can also participate with their own projects.

Concessions will be awarded to the lowest bidders -- 20 years for biomass-fired plants, 25 years for wind and solar farms and 30 years for small hydropower plants. After the concession period expires, the plants would be turned over to the government.

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