Ecuador's state power company Corporación Eléctrica del Ecuador published a contracting process on Wednesday, August 19, for prefeasibility and feasibility studies for the proposed El Pimo wind project in Azuay province. The initiative is being driven by the Ecuadorian government through Celec Sur, a specialized business unit of the public utility.
The study contract carries a reference budget of $2,477,456.45 and an execution timeframe of 450 calendar days. The project is situated in the communities of Pimo and Can Can within the Chaucha parish of Cuenca, at an elevation of approximately 3,800 meters above sea level.
According to preliminary studies, the planned wind farm has an estimated generation capacity of 150 megawatts and an expected annual production of approximately 650 gigawatt-hours. If constructed, El Pimo would mark the first large-scale wind energy project in Azuay, helping to broaden the nation's energy supply.
Consulting tender process
Celec expects foreign consulting firms to participate in the tender due to the high level of technical specialization required for the studies. Overseas companies will be eligible after completing the required national capacity verification procedure with the Servicio Nacional de Contratación Pública, Ecuador's public procurement agency. Local Ecuadorian consulting firms are also permitted to compete for the contract.
The state company said the comprehensive studies will establish the technical, economic, environmental, and engineering foundation necessary to evaluate the project's viability. The findings will determine whether the initiative can proceed to formal design, construction, and operational phases.
Azuay is a mountainous province in the southern Andean region of Ecuador, where electric generation has traditionally relied heavily on major hydroelectric installations. Celec operates as the primary state-owned electricity corporation responsible for managing power generation and transmission infrastructure across the South American nation.
Key deadlines and future outlook
Under the published schedule, interested consulting firms may submit formal questions regarding the process until September 1, 2026. The final deadline for candidates to submit project proposals is set for September 30, 2026, at 10:00.
Miguel Andrade, the manager of Celec Sur, said the development of El Pimo represents a forward-looking step for electricity generation in Ecuador. He noted that the state enterprise is actively working to integrate new renewable energy sources into the national matrix, complementing existing hydroelectric capacity while responsibly developing the region's natural potential.
