Colbún expects 70MW Quilleco hydro ops. in 2007

Chilean generator Colbún expects its US$70mn, 70MW Quilleco run-of-river hydro project on the Laja river in central-southern Region VIII to start operations in April 2007, project manager Leonardo Díaz told BNamericas. German company Züblin won the tunnel construction contract and to date has carved out 260m of a 3.2km tunnel, he said. Züblin also won the powerhouse, security and water channel contract, while Russian engineering company Power Machines won the main equipment supply contract for two 35MW turbines, generators and transformers. The turbines and generators will be manufactured in Russia and the auxiliary systems in Brazil, he said. The machinery will begin to be assembled at the project site by year-end. Penstock and piping contracts have not yet been awarded because Colbún is still studying the bids. Quilleco will be developed downstream from Colbún's 174MW Rucué hydro plant, which began operations in 1998. CER APPLICATION PROCESS Colbún began the application process last year to certify the project so that it can sell carbon emissions reductions credits (CERs) and expects to be notified by the World Bank whether the application has been accepted by mid-year, Díaz said. Belgian power company Tractebel controls Colbún.