Itaipu Binacional, operator of the 14-GW Itaipu hydroelectric plant on the Brazil-Paraguay border, has resumed the procurement process for the US$660 million technological revamp of the project.

According to BNamericas, the call for the 14-year modernization project was suspended in April due to COVID-19.

Itaipu, on the Parana River, is the world’s second largest hydropower plant, behind China Three Gorges in overall capacity. The plant has been operating since 1984.

The tender is divided into three packages.

The first package entails the supply of systems, equipment, materials and services for the generation units, centralized control, auxiliary electrical and mechanical services, 500-kV GIS substation, complementary infrastructure, and dam and spillway, as well as drafting the executive project and supervision services.

Qualified groups for the first package are: Consorcio Andritz Hydro-ABB, Consorcio CATI (Voith Hydro-Siemens-Tractebel Engineering) and Consorcio GE (GE Energías Renovables-Grid Solutions Transmisión de Energía).

A second package involves the supply of materials and equipment for the general auxiliary services. Package two qualifiers are: Concret Mix, Consorcio Alto Paraná (Constructec Ingeniería-Proyectos y Montajes-Ingenieros Constructores Industriales) and Tecnoedil.

The third package is for electromechanical disassembly and assembly services. And package three qualifiers are CIE and Rieder.

Package one was open to firms based in Brazil, and packages two and three were open to firms based in Paraguay.

Itaipu Binacional says that previously qualified groups may now schedule technical visits through Nov. 5 and submit consultations through Nov. 11, with commercial bids due Dec. 15.

Fuente: Hydro Review