Chile's Ministry of Public Works (MOP) has delayed the bidding deadline for the Punilla reservoir concession project in the Bío-Bío Region.

A few of the companies shortlisted have asked for more time to submit their proposals. The shortlisted companies/consortia had to submit their proposals on or before 30 June, but the deadline has been delayed to December this year.

So far, a total of nine teams have been shortlisted for the start project within the Chilean infrastructure program:

• Astaldi,
• Sacyr,
• A team composed of Ainsa (Abengoa), Conpax and Valko
• Consortium BBB (Belfi, Besalco and Brotec)
• Ingenieros Civiles Asociados (ICA)
• Salini and Impregilo
• Consortium Cintra-Ferrovial
• Consortium Infraestructura Punilla, formed of ACS and Dragados
• Consortium Punilla made up OHL and Aquology (GDF Suez)

The project involves the development of a 137 meters high dam and a 100 MW hydro power plant. The project is expected to double the amount of irrigated lands to over 60,000 ha. It includes a reservoir with capacity of 625 million m³, which will be located 30 km from San Fabián de Alico. An 85% of the new water reservoir will be used to address irrigation needs while the remaining 15% will be used to produce energy.

The contract is a 20-year concession with income from generation of hydroelectricity. The total project investment is estimated at US$398 million.

The reservoir would address the irrigation needs of farmers in the area of the River à‘uble, including the à‘uble province and part of the San Carlos, Chillán, à‘iquén, San Nicolás, Coihueco and San Fabián de Alico municipal districts in the Bío-Bío Region.