News

Nicaragua extends deadline for geothermal exploration offers

Alexander Richter 26 Aug 2009

Nicaragua's Energy & Mines Ministry has extended to September 3 the deadline to submit offers to carry out geothermal exploration in areas Volcán Mombacho, Caldera de Apoyo and Isla de Ometepe.

As reported by BN Americas from Nicaragua, the country’s “energy and mines ministry has extended to September 3 the deadline to submit offers to carry out geothermal exploration in areas Volcán Mombacho, Caldera de Apoyo and Isla de Ometepe, the ministry’s general secretary Donald Espinosa told BNamericas.

A decision will be issued within 60 calendar days of the bid submission deadline, although evaluation may be extended by 30 days. Bids had been due August 12.

Offers must be accompanied by a US$50,000 guarantee and may be submitted for one or more of the areas.

Ormat Technologies (NYSE: ORA) and Polaris Geothermal (TSX: GEO) operate geothermal plants in the country. The ministry recently awarded Consorcio Proyecto Geotérmico Casita-San Cristóbal a geothermal exploration contract for the Volcán Casita-San Cristóbal area.

Nicaragua’s geothermal potential is roughly 1.5GW. Installed capacity at end-2008 was 896MW, of which 76.7% was thermo, 11.8% hydro, 9.77% geothermal and 1.82% off-grid systems.

Source: BN Americas