Chapare, Bolivia — 2016/2018
Client: ENDE
As part of the Bolivian government’s policy to diversify the country’s energy mix and export its surplus electricity, ENDE, the national electricity company, with financing from CAF, approved the San José Hydroelectric project. Its goal is to increase power generation by harnessing the hydro potential of the upper Chapare river basin, the Málaga and Santa Isabel rivers, and the waters of the Corani reservoir, after passing through the Corani and Santa Isabel hydroelectric plants.
The project works include the construction of a dam, the Locotal regulating reservoir, headrace tunnels, the penstock and the powerhouse. The project includes the construction of the San José I and San José II hydroelectric plants, designed to generate 55 MW and 69 MW respectively, with a total investment of US$252 million.
Following a long and demanding selection process involving leading international companies, Ingener was selected as main contractor under a turnkey contract to carry out the 230 kV high-voltage electrical works and the connection of the plants to the power grid, a milestone in Ingener’s history as its first contract abroad.
The main works include:
-Detailed engineering of the substations.
-Supply, installation and commissioning of 230 kV transformers (2 per plant).
-Installation of two fully SF6-insulated (GIS) substations with 4 and 3 bays respectively.
-Protection, control and communication systems.
-Complete execution of a 230 kV transmission line.
