JBIC to finance studies for 75MW geothermal project

The Japan Bank for International Cooperation (JBIC) has approved a grant to finance feasibility studies for the 75MW Cerritos Colorados geothermal project in Mexico's Jalisco state, the bank's Mexico and Central America representative Kentaro Takasu told BNamericas. Mexico's state power company CFE presented the JBIC with a funding request for the studies on March 31 this year. The JBIC has received four proposals from Japanese engineering consultants interested in carrying out the study and a decision is likely to be made over the next few weeks, Takasu said. "We are hoping that this feasibility study supported by the JBIC will increase the chance of Japanese manufactures winning the bid for technology," he said. The feasibility study is scheduled for completion by end-January 2005. Companies such as Mitsubishi Electric, Mitsubishi Heavy Industry and Toshiba already have a strong technological presence in Mexico's Cerro Prieto and Los Azufres geothermal plants. Mexico currently has four geothermal plants, which generate 953MW. Cerritos Colorados is 20km west of Jalisco state capital Guadalajara.