Sinohydro bidding for Ecuador power deal

By Zhou Siyu
Project is part of South American country's clean technology drive

BEIJING - Sinohydro Corp Ltd is bidding for a $200 million hydropower station in Ecuador, participating in the South American country's drive to develop clean technologies, said Ding Zhengguo, assistant president of the group.

The station could become another major construction project for the group, one of China's major builders, in Ecuador. Deals were signed last year for the $1.7 billion-worth Coca Codo Sinclair hydroelectric plant, the largest infrastructure project ever in Ecuador.

"After the Coca Codo Sinclair project, we now have a better understanding of Ecuador's market. We would like take this great opportunity as Ecuador is developing hydropower and clean technologies," Ding told China Daily.

He did not say how the project will be financed or when it will be completed.

In a bid to replace thermal power and cut power imports, the South American country has sought to advance renewable energy in recent years.

Hector Villagran, Ecuadorian commercial counselor in China, said construction work on nine power stations, including the Coca Codo plant, estimated at $4 billion in total, will start this year.

Chinese builders are involved in all nine projects. Contracts for some projects have already been signed, while some are still being negotiated, he added.

The projects will be paid for with oil or financed with Chinese loans, Villagran said during a news briefing at the third China Overseas Investment Fair in Beijing on Tuesday.

According to the counselor, construction contracts for the Sopladora hydroelectric plant will be signed "within this year" with China Gezhouba Group Corp (CGGC), one of China's major construction companies.

The 487 megawatt plant, estimated to cost $670 million, is expected to be completed within the next four years.

CGGC declined to comment on the matter.

Villagran also encouraged more Chinese companies to invest in or undertake projects in Ecuador, particularly in sectors such as infrastructure, mining, oil and gas, and agriculture.

"Chinese companies are very important to us. They respect the way we do business and can bring the technologies we need," he said.