Government tender lands to build power plants by at least 2,450 MW in the north
National Heritage launched a process to offer 50 years leases of ground cloths between Tarapaca and Atacama regions suitable for gas or coal power plants. The concessionaire is obliged to raise a minimum of 350 MW in each area
At least 2,450 MW, equivalent figure to the installed capacity of the HidroAysén Project.
That is the goal that the government has for an ambitious plan to bidding public lands for thermal power projects of gas or coal, which was recently released to be awarded in late February and early March of this year. It is a plan that is tied to the study of land use planning to announce the government some years ago and is in charge of the Ministry of National Heritage (MBN). Therefore, they were chosen areas suitable for the development of these energies: far away from populated areas and communities, in addition to facilities such as proximity to the sea, roads, electrical substations and trunk lines, both from the SING and the SIC.-
The tenderers, along with the financial bid, shall undertake to build a core of at least 350 MW in the concession land at a model that had not been previously used in Chile and involves planning decisive action by the State to enlarge electrical matrix.
The selected areas are seven: one located in the Region of Tarapaca (Caleta Chica), two in Antofagasta (Tames and Cobija Sur) and four in Atacama (Caleta Obispo, Totoralillo Norte and Totoralillo Sur and Caldera), which would meet future demand designed primarily for mining projects to be installed in that area. All initiatives, if the required minimum is met, add 2,450 MW, but could be more if the tenderers choose larger developments. “The selected regional areas will respond to the results of a study conducted for this purpose, with the aim of identifying areas to submit suitable technical conditions for such projects, and trying to minimize the social and environmental impacts that may arise,” explained officially the Ministry of National Heritage explained to PULSO.
Concessions consider three periods: five years for studies (exit option), five for construction, plus a term for the operation. In total, the maximum period is 50 years.
“These tenders meet the line of action of the Ministry of National Heritage to make available Real private investment through public tenders, tax to be added to the productive development processes of the country (…) land. On the supply side for energy projects, there have been bids for NCRE projects land and also for conventional energy, in order to address the problem holistically, “added the MBN.
Key Information
While there will be no explicit guarantee to support the contractor in the completion of the project, National Heritage provides field and provides additional relevant information.-
“But every project must undergo evaluations and corresponding sectoral analysis,” said the ministry. The information that will allow the contractor/tenderer to avoid conflicts regarding project approval. “A tool for visualization of the entire land information was developed, including background information (roads, towns, cities, schools, health centers, ports, electrical substations, etc.), geographic (geological map, volcanoes, aquifers, risk areas, etc..), territorial planning instruments (regulatory community levels, intercommunal, regional development, urban limit), registry and mining concessions, environmental protection and regulations, areas of interest, archaeological sites, areas of indigenous development, etc. “said MBN.
“For the first time all the relevant information produced by the State for making location decisions, which was one of the actions proposed in the Urban Development Plan of President Piñera meets” supplemented the portfolio. What kind of plants can be developed? From MBN clarified that they can lift any kind of draft power generation base, without limitation. Regarding the possibility of new processes in the future, they add that it may be applied, but is up to the new government.
The tender is especially relevant considering the difficulty that exists in the country to develop large-scale thermal power plants particularly in the north, what has happened, for example, with the Punta Alcalde and Castilla projects.
Source: Pulso
