Uruguay is seeking proposals from international companies to build a 25 MW solar park in the Punta del Tigre area in San José. Eleven companies have expressed interest in the project.
UTE Receives 11 Bids from Local and International Firms
The state-owned UTE received 11 proposals from both Uruguayan and international companies. Among the local firms are Berkes, Ebital, Impacto Construcciones, Ingener, MGI SA, Teyma Uruguay and Ventus Ingenieria.
The international bidders include Cttech Engineering & Consulting SL from Spain, DTW CO from China, Prodiel Energy from Spain and the Power Construction Corporation of China, a government-controlled firm from China.
Uruguay's National Administration of Electric Power Plants and Transmissions (UTE) will review the bids, which will then award the contract. The project must be completed within 548 calendar days from the start date.
UTE Tender Requires Proven Experience in Large PV Projects
The technical requirements in the tender specified that bidders needed to demonstrate experience in constructing and commissioning at least one photovoltaic park with a capacity of 20 MW or more or at least two PV parks each with a capacity of 10 MW or more within the last eight years.
The plans for the PV park involve installing the panels on ground-mounted iron bases at a height of approximately two meters.
UTE Plans $100M Investment in New Solar Parks by 2027
The National Administration of Electric Power Plants and Transmissions (UTE) plans to diversify Uruguay's electricity generation matrix by adding new energy sources between 2025 and 2027. This plan includes the construction of two solar parks, one in San José and another in Cerro Long with an estimated investment of around US$ 100 million. These parks will be added to another project that is already in progress in the Maragato department.
UTE to Launch Tender for 75 MW PV Park in Cerro Largo
UTE plans to launch a new public tender for a 75 MW PV park in Cerro Largo, near the Melo converter plant under the medium-term turnkey model. According to UTE, the plants will be situated on two sites: 25% on UTE-owned land in Delta del Tigre, San José and the remaining 75% at a new location in the northern part of the country. The state-owned power company is currently constructing its first solar park with a capacity of 32 MW.
The panels for this project are of Chinese origin and were supplied by South Korea's Hyundai as part of a settlement following litigation between the two companies over the construction of the combined cycle plant. Upon completion of these projects, UTE will add 130 MW of photovoltaic solar capacity to the electrical grid.
Currently, Uruguay has approximately 1,500 MW of installed wind generation and around 250 MW of contracted solar energy both of which contribute to the electrical system and operate along the coast.