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ICE to support ENDE on geothermal ambitions in Bolivia

ICE to support ENDE on geothermal ambitions in Bolivia Laguna Colorada, Bolivia (source: flickr/ rewbs.soal, creative commons)
Francisco Rojas 3 Mar 2015

A memorandum of understanding between Bolivia's ENDE and ICE from Costa Rica has been signed to evaluate the geothermal potential of a possible 50-MW geothermal plant in the Laguna Colorada.

Following earlier news, it seems that Bolivia and Costa Rica have struck a common understanding to develop geothermal power in the latter by signing a “memorandum of understanding (MoU) on Friday” between Empresa Nacional de Electricidad (ENDE) Bolivia’s power utility and the Instituto Costarricense de Electricidad (ICE) from Costa Rica, according to SeeNews. Bolivia will receive technical assistance for the “evaluation of geothermal resources and construction of the first 50-MW geothermal plant in the Laguna Colorada area.”

The same source states that the expected project “located in Potosi department, the 50-MW Laguna Colorada will require USD 222 million (EUR 197.9m) and 170 km (105.6 miles) of transmission lines, the energy ministry said. However, the area is expected to generate at least 100 MW in the future.”

The country has ambitious renewable intentions, planning to “reach 800 MW of renewable energy by 2020, energy minister Luis Sanchez said after the signing of the agreement.”

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Source: SeeNews Renewables