The capacity of the Cachí hydroelectric power plant will increase from 100 megawatts to 160 MW thanks to a $140 million loan from the Central American Bank for Economic Integration (CABEI), the institution announced Tuesday in a statement.
The regional organization will provide the funds to expand the Cachí Dam facility in the Orosi Valley, about 55 kilometers southeast of San José.
The expansion of the power plant will include the design, construction and commissioning of a new 40 MW generator as well as improvement of the 20 MW generator already installed.
Once expanded, the plant’s output will be able to supply the power needs of 330,000 people.
The project, scheduled to begin this year, is expected to generate 1,200 indirect jobs during its implementation phase. All works should be finished by 2015, according to Costa Rican Electricity Institute authorities.
