Chilean utility Endesa has awarded alstom a turnkey contract worth E52M (US$57M) for a 570MW hydro power plant, it was announced in early March. The plant will be sited on the Bio Bio river at Ralco, some 600km south of Santiago. Joseph Chriqui, senior vice president of Alstom’s hydro business segment, noted that the plant would be the largest hydro plant under construction in South America.
As well as design and build services, the scope of the contract includes supply of major equipment including two Francis turbine generator sets. The equipment supply will be handled from Alstom factories in France, Canada and Brazil, with delivery due to begin in 12 months. These three countries are also due to supply financing for the project. The project is due for completion in 46 months.
Alstom has previously completed the Pehuenche hydro project in Chile.