Just one of the five interested companies presented an offer to build the dam in Bolivia’s Misicuni multi-purpose hydro project [...]. The objective of the project is to divert the waters from the Misicuni River to supply the Central Cochabamba Valley with potable water, irrigation water and hydropower. The official budget for the project was set at US$81mn and the consortium presented an offer of US$79.9mn. [...] If all goes well, works could begin at the end of February [2009], Misicuni president Ramiro Saniz said. The consortium Consorcio Hidroeléctrico Misicuni is comprised of six companies, led by Italian construction firm Grandi Lavori Fincosit with a 51% stake.
The contract includes the construction of a potable water plant, water pipelines and their respective pumping systems, and an irrigation network that can supply 4,000ha.
The second stage of the Misicuni project has US$81mn in guaranteed financing until it is finished. However, two tunnels and two water uptake points will still need to be built, as well as the hydroelectric component, which is estimated to need a US$100mn investment.
Saniz also said that the water from the Misicuni river is not sufficient to fill the 120m-high dam and that other sources are needed.
The government of Italy will provide a 25mn euro (US$32.4mn) loan for the project. [...] The loan was the result of President Evo Morales’ trip to Europe in search of financial support to expand basic services and develop agriculture in Bolivia.
Source: Business News Americas [subscription site], 23 Jan 2009
Bolivia’s water ministry and Cochabamba department are working to implement potable water services in southern Cochabamba, as part of the new US$ 5.18mn southern integrated water plan. The project will be 70% funded with a US$3.63mn credit line provided by the InterAmerican Development Bank (IDB), which will be channeled by regional development fund FNDR. [...] Works include the installation of distribution lines and systems in six districts in southern Cochabamba, such as Santa Bárbara, Lomas del Sud and Colomani.
Source: Business News Americas [subscription site], 05 Dec 2008
