Continuation of Works on Xalalá Power Station Announced

The development of hydroelectric station Xalalá, located between Uspantán, Quiché, and Coban, Alta Verapaz, is one of the National Institute of Electrification’s (INDE) current projects, as part of its Strategic Plan 2012-2015.

The new plant will be able to generate 180 megawatts (MW) for the country, officials said to the press, as reported by the newspaper Diario de Centro America in its website.

"Erick Archila, Minister of Energy and Mines (MEM) indicated that the country could stop relying on oil for electricity generation and lower the service costs provided to the population", published the newspaper.

"For 25 years we have planned the construction of the hydroelectric station Xalalá, which if it becomes a reality will be the second largest in the country after Chixoy. The cost of building the new plant will be between $350 and $450 million", says the website.

Source: Diario de Centro América

More on this topic

CFE Mexico analyzes feasibility of the Xalala hydroelectric plant

December 2008

The National Institute of Electricity in Guatemala (INDE) is in preliminary talks with the Federal Electricity Commission of Mexico (CFE) to carry out the study.

Alberto Cohen, president of INDE, said that the institute is not willing to let the construction of the Xalala hydroelectric project just die, and explained that CFE delegates came at the start of December, and visited the area between Alta Verapaz and Quiche where the plant will be built, in order to budget the investment funds for the study. This could be between $5 and $10, said the official.

New dates for Xalalá hydroelectric project tender

July 2008

The bidding process for the construction of the Xalalá hydroelectric project was extended for the second time by the National Electrification Institute.

The new issuing and submission dates are set for November this year.
The board of INDE took this decision because it still working on modifications to the terms of reference, in issues that were questioned by those interested in bidding, changes that must be supplied by July 31.

Guatemala: Changes delay the start of the Xalala Hydroelectric plant

August 2008

Changes to the terms of reference for the tender that will allow the Xalala hydroelectric plant to be constructed will delay the operation of the plant by almost two years.

The Power Generation Manager of the National Electrification Institute, Erwin Barrios, explained that the start of operations at the plant, previously announced for 2013, will be delayed until 2015.

Xalalá bid fails in Guatemala ls

November 2008

None of the nine companies that had indicated interest in the project presented an offer for the Xalala Hydroelectric project.

Alberto Cohen, president of the National Electrification Institute blames the international financial crisis and lack of liquidity in the system. The project failed in spite of a 33% ROI.