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Energy
15 hydroelectric projects prioritized in Ecuador
With energy demand increasing year on year and
the worrying dependence on other countries for
energy supplies, the energy authorities of Ecua-
dor have pushed hard for 15 hydroelectric proj-
ects, such as Coca Codo Sinclair, Toachi Pilatón
and the Baba Project. These ambitious projects
require $8 billion USD of investment and could
potentially place Ecuador as a true leader in the
hydroelectricity sector.
According to senior government officials, Ecuador
plans to. double its use of hydropower in the next
decade. By 2020 officials estimate that 86% of
Ecuador’s electricity needs will be covered by hy-
dropower.
SAN FRANCISCO DAM
Ecuador’s hydroelectricty sector was the subject
of global attention when Brazilian company Ode-
brecht constructed the 230 MW plant that trans-
ports water 11.2 kilometres in an underground
tunnel under turbine pressure from the Agoyán
Central plant. Located in Tungurahua Province,
the tunnel has a diameter of 7 metres and costs
approximately $286 million USD to construct. Hi-
droagoyán and Odebrecht invested in the project
Aerial view of a dam. Source: Meer
together, however, one year after it opened, the
dam was shut down because of severe construc-
tion faults which caused blackouts nationwide.
President Rafael Correa ordered troops to seize
Odebrecht’s assets demanding a compensation
package amounting to around $30 million USD.
The project reopened in 2010 after the Brazilian
construction company paid their fine and contin-
ued their work alongside the Ecuadorian govern-
ment. In full flow, the hydroelectric plant could
save Ecuador $30 million USD per year and in-
crease the national generation capacity by 12%.
MAZAR DAM
The Mazar dam is also hugely important to Ec-
uador. This 166 metre high concrete faced rock-
fill dam has a capacity of 160 MW and a rockfill
volume of 5.000.000 m3. The diversion tunnel in
this project is 1,100 metres long and 12 metres
in diameter. This hydroelectric plant is owned by
Hidropaute S.A and its design was supervised by
Leme (Brazil), Caminosca (Ecuador), Coyne et
Bellier (France) and MN (Chile). Construction was
headed by one of the leading Italian construction
companies Impregilo and another Ecuadorian com-
pany called Herdoiza Crespo. Electro mechanical
equipment was purchased from many companies: