The contract for the construction of the permeable dam on the Coca River was signed

This Celec statement was translated from Spanish by an automated system

The Ecuadorian Electric Corporation (CELEC EP), through the Coca River Executive Commission, signed a contract with the SEMACC Constructores Consortium for the construction of a permeable dam on the Coca River, which will contribute to mitigating regressive erosion and protecting the intake of the Coca Codo Sinclair hydroelectric plant.

This contract was awarded for an amount of USD 17,316,664 (plus VAT) and the term for execution is 450 calendar days, which will begin from the authorization to start work.

CELEC EP general manager, Fabián Calero Freire, said that “in this administration we have rescued this process that was on the verge of being declared void. We have made sure that it is transparent, competitive, complying with the principles of the Public Procurement Law, in which all companies were able to present their best offers.”

He also indicated that he will be vigilant to ensure that this work is carried out according to the schedule. “We must be rigorous in the application of all its terms, deadlines and conditions. In this way, the country will be the greatest beneficiary,” he said. He invited the executives of the contracting company to report any type of approach or insinuation from third parties that could be made in their name.

The permeable dam will be built at kilometer 7.8 from the intake of the Coca Codo Sinclair hydroelectric plant, an area where there is an outcrop of rock from the Misahuallí geological formation, a highly hard, competent material where the structures can be anchored, which seek to prevent the deepening of the river bed and the advance of regressive erosion upstream.

The works will extend the hydraulic section of the Coca River from approximately 80 metres to 200 metres, to reduce the erosive power of the water. The structure consists of a screen of reinforced concrete secant piles, which will reach a depth of 24 metres from the river bed. It will be reinforced by large rocks to dissipate the energy of the water.

A road bridge will be built at the top of the screen to allow maintenance of the rock fill that will be placed both upstream and at the foot of the screen, and will also allow residents of the area to cross from San Carlos to the right bank of the river.

The permeable dam is part of the works contemplated in the Gradient Control Plan, prepared by the Coca River Executive Commission, in conjunction with the United States Army Corps of Engineers (USACE), which seeks to stop regressive erosion and guarantee the integrity of the intake of the Coca Codo Sinclair Hydroelectric Plant, during its useful life.