6.5.2009

Mannvit Conducts Hydroelectric Feasibility Studies in Chile

The last quarter of 2008 Mannvit worked on feasibility studies for two hydroelectric plants in Chile. The project was being conducted on behalf of HydroChile in cooperation with local officials in Santiago.  Mannvit had one employee stationed in Santiago for one month but also had employees in Reykjavik supporting the project.  Mannvit is responsible for 25% of the project.
 
The plants will be located in the Andes mountains about 400 km south of Santiago.  There will be two plants on the same river, with planned capacity of approximately 25 MW total power.  The intake station for the upper plant will be at 2,000 meters in the Andes mountains, which presents conditions similar to that of Iceland's highlands.  Flow to the plants is a combination of runoff from glacier, melted snow and spring water.  Geothermal water is also part of the flow, with hot springs nearby.  
 
Mannvit has completed the first phase of the project.  The project manager has moved forward with planning for the plants and has recently sent government officials an environmental impact report.  The plans for the next phase of the project have not been finalized, but Mannvit's contract includes the bid proposal process which is the next stage of the project.