Paraguay seeks firms for US$100mn power grid works package

Paraguay’s state power company Ande launched bidding to shore up dispatch in the west of the country.

The works’ budget totals US$117mn and is divided into three lots, one of which entails construction of the Pozo Colorado substation and expansion of the Villa Hayes, Villa Real and Loma Plata substations.

The other lots involve the construction of the 200km, 220kV Villa Hayes-Villa Real transmission line and 355km, 220 kV Villa Real-Pozo Colorado-Loma Plata line.

Offers are due on August 16, according to procurement information.

River Plate basin development financial fund Fonplata and German development bank KfW are helping finance the infrastructure, which is part of Ande’s 2021-30 master plan.

Ande highlights that the work will help boost industrial development in the area, which is home to around 350,000 residents.

Meanwhile, the lower house of Paraguay’s congress approved a bill to amend the law, which establishes penalties for electricity theft.

The change would increase prison time to between two and 10 years and confiscate the elements or devices used in the theft. The current penalty envisions prison terms of up to five years or a fine.

The legislative proposal now returns to the senate.