Bolivia okays USD-25m loan from Japan for 50-MW geothermal plan

Jun 26, 2014 - Bolivia's government yesterday approved a proposed loan of JPY 2.495 billion (USD 24.5m/EUR 18m) from Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) to finance the first, 50-MW phase of the Laguna Colorada geothermal energy project.

The loan contract will be signed by development planning minister Viviana Caro and then it will be sent to the parliament for approval.

Bolivia estimates it could generate 100 MW at the field. State-owned utility Ende, which will co-finance the project, plans four wells initially to assess the energy potential.

The company expects to start drilling in 2016 and have the first 50 MW installed in 2018, local media have said.

(JPY 100 = USD 0.983/EUR 0.722)

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