ALSTOM awarded major Hydro Power contract in Venezuela

ALSTOM has been awarded a
contract by Venezuela’s state electricity company
Cadafe to build the 514 MW La Vueltosa hydroelectric plant in
Merida state, south-western Venezuela.  The contract,
signed on May 11th, in the presence of Venezuela's President
Hugo Chavez, is worth US$160 million.  The project is
expected to be financed by Brazilian and French
banks.  

ALSTOM is supplying a turnkey
package comprising: 2 x 257 MW Francis generating units,
complete electromechanical Balance of Plant, ALSPA control
systems, hydro-mechanical equipment, transmission line, and
some related civil works.  The equipment will be
manufactured in ALSTOM's facilities in Brazil and France and
the project is scheduled to be completed by July
2006.  

La Vueltosa is the third
project of the 1,531 MW Uribante-Caparo hydroelectric
complex.  When completed, the hydrolectric plant,
managed by Cadafe, will benefit the states of Tachira,
Merida, Barinas and Apure in the southwest of
Venezuela. 

Signing the contract, Bertrand
de Saint Julien, Managing Director of ALSTOM Hydro Power,
noted: “ Venezuela, and Latin America as a whole, are
important markets for the development of hydropower.  As
a major player here with several world class manufacturing
facilities, ALSTOM will continue to contribute to the
development of hydropower infrastructure in the
region”. 

Press Enquiries :
Lynne Anderson

Tel. : +46 122 81700

Fax. : +46 122 17740
lynne.anderson@power.alstom.comProject Enquiries :
Lucy Callaghan

Tel. : +33 1 4755 2461

Fax. : +33 1 4755 2562
lucy.callaghan@power.alstom.com