Enel's Palo Viejo 85-Megawatt Hydropower Station Begins Construction in Guatemala

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Researched by Industrial Info Resources (Sugar Land, Texas)--Housing and Construction Holding Company Limited (TASE:HUCN) (Ramat Gan, Israel), through subsidiary Solel Boneh International Limited, began construction on the Palo Viejo hydroelectric power plant in Guatemala. The Guatemalan unit of utility Enel SpA (Rome, Italy) recently announced that the Israeli company signed a $200 million contract for the building of this project.

The facility, located on the Cotzal River in the Quiche department, will consist of two hydraulic turbines with a total power output of 85 megawatts (MW). Officials told Industrial Info that construction will require a 32-month period, including building dams and a reservoir; digging canals and a tunnel; building access roads; installing turbine-generators; and constructing a powerhouse.

According to the National Electrification Institute (INDE), renewable energy is essential for Guatemala. Since the reservoirs of hydroelectric plants have not been optimal, the construction of the Palo Viejo plant will help the country increase the capacity of this type of energy. There are two other projects under construction: the Xacbal hydro power station, in Chajul, Quiche, with a generation capacity of 96 MW; and the Renacer II, in San Pedro Carcha, Alta Verapaz, with a generation capacity of 140 MW.

The Housing and Construction Holding Company Limited, also known as Shikun U'Binui, is one of the largest construction and infrastructure companies in Israel. It has been operating since 1924 and it is affiliated with the Shari Arison group, also an international holding and investment company.

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