Chinese group sole bidder in Bolivia wind projects call

Bolivian state power company Ende’s bidding process to develop wind farms La Ventolera (24MW) and Warnes II (21MW) drew one proposal.

The sole participant in the call, which was issued in May, was Powerchina Zhongnan Engineering, procurement information shows.

The Chinese group’s offers for La Ventolera and Warnes II were 13.7mn euros (US$13.9mn) and 42.1mn euros, respectively.

If selected, it will have up to 24 months to complete the projects’ design, installation and startup. A decision is expected in the coming months.

La Ventolera is planned for Santa Cruz province and Warnes II would be built in Tarija province. French development agency AFD will help fund the projects.

Current installed wind capacity in the country comes from Ende plants El Dorado (54MW, pictured), San Julían (39.6MW), Qollpana (27MW) and Warnes (14.4MW).

The country’s goal is to double electricity generation with renewable sources by 2030.

Ende also has a call underway to advance early-stage solar project Contorno Bajo (121MW).

Authorities have pinned hopes that renewable energies will gradually replace natural gas-fired power generation to free up gas to help cover domestic supply and fulfill export pledges, amid falling gas production.

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