Hidrosierra

Debt : July 2019 - August 2020

The project consists of the design, construction, operation and maintenance of a 10MW run-of-river hydropower plant in Central Ecuador.

Amount

€ 5,240,160.00

Type of investment

Debt

Development impacts

Access to basic services & goods
Fight against climate change

Beneficiary locations

Latin America and Caribbean: Ecuador

Investment field

Infrastructure

Activity

Energy-Hydro

Organisation

Hidrosierra

Website

http://www.conduto.com/index.php/proyectos-en-ejecucion/22-ecuador/38-construccion-hidroelectrica-rio-verde-chico

Domicile

Ecuador

Hidrosierra is a standard run-of-the-river hydroelectric project similar to other projects operating in Ecuador. The main components of the project are a low-level (8meter high and 22 meter wide) diversion weir (over which excess water can flow freely), an intake structure with desander, a 2.7 km. low pressure steel pipe conveyance, a 300m high pressure penstock, a surface power station with 2 turbines, a (0.75 km) transmission line, and a power substation increasing voltage to 69Kv. Particular aspect is a 2.7 km tunnel structure for the low pressure pipe, a technical challenge which caused extensive delays but which has been completed successfully. Construction involved also 2 bridges which benefit to the local community.

Although hydropower electricity is proven technology, non-recourse long-term financing availability is (still) insufficient in Ecuador. With its long-term financing of hard currency, BIO contributes to the project’s viability. The additionality of BIO’s financing is evident, given the limited availability of long-term USD financing in Ecuador. Local banks and other private financing institutions are not in a position to provide the necessary amounts of hard currency financing on the required terms and conditions.

Development impacts

Access to basic services & goods
The project promotes the supply of stable and clean electricity (65GWh to be produced).

The equivalent theoretical number of people to be provided with electricity is 47,000.
Fight against climate change
Reduction of the greenhouse effect through substitution of oil: estimated GHG avoidance of approximately 31,655 tonnes of CO2/year (calculation with the AFD Tool).