Recenty reportedy, “Argentina’s Neuquen province is seeking international bids to construct a 30MW geothermal power plant at the Las Mellizas mine in Copahue in the foothills of the Andes Mountains.

Copahue, site of a popular resort with thermal springs, is located about 370 kilometers northwest of the provincial capital of Neuquen. The mine is another 10 kilometers away at an altitude of about 2,000 meters.

According to government officials, project specs and bid terms will become available on 28 May for 25,000 Argentinian pesos (about $6,690) from the province’s office in Buenos Aires. Bids submitted for the tender will be opened on 13 July.

Investment in the project is expected to total US$60mn.

The mine site is said to have additional geothermal capacity, although how much is unclear. The owner of the proposed plant will be able to sell carbon credits, according to the province.

Argentina is thought to have excellent geothermal power potential as heat-bearing formations exist throughout the length of the Andes in the country’s western frontier.

Luring investment, however, may be difficult given the country’s economic instability, legal insecurity, corruption in the public administration and government controls over pricing of electricity and other essential services.”

Source: ReChargeNews