Announcement of Power and Irrigation Study in Guatemala on August 2, 1961

_J HOLD FOR RELEA.s:E · WORLD BANK 1818 H STREET, N.W., WASHINGTON 25, D. C. TELEPHONE: EXECUTIVE 3-6360 For Release A.M. Newspapers SUBJECT: Power and irrigation Wednesday, August 2, 1961 study in Guatemala The United Nations Special Fund, the Government of Guatemala and the World Bank have signed an agreement providing for a comprehensive study of possibili- ties for the development of electric power and irrigation in Guatemala. The project was approved by the Governing Council of the Special Fund in December 196o and the Special FUnd has allocated toward the cost $633,500, which includes $71,500 to be paid into a Special Fund Account by the Government of • Guatemala. The remaining costs, estimated at the equivalent of approximately $266,ooo, will be met by the Government of Guatemala. The Institute Nacional de Electrificacion, a semi-autonomous government organization, has been vested with responsibility for carrying out the project. The World Bank will act as Executing Agency for the study, with responsi- .bility for general supervision of the project, for providing direction to the consultants, and for disbursing the money made available by the Special Fund. The Government of Guatemala is retaining the services of a consortium of con- sultants made up of H. G. Acres & Company International of Canada, and Neder- landsche Heidemaa.tschappij and Ingenieursbureau Dwars Heedrik en Verhey N.v. both of the Netherlands., to make the study. The work will start in August and is scheduled for completion in 18 months. The project will include a study of expected power requirements in Guate- .• mala and an assessment of existing power facilities. Based on their findings, ,/"'' l - 2 - • the consultants will submit recommen<;lations for a program of power development over a 15-year period., including the preliminary preparation of a power project of first priority in the program. Also included in the project are a study of transmission and distribution requirements and a review of tariffs and of the organization and administration of power development. The consultants will assess the feasibility of and justification for irrigation development, making recommendations for priority projects in this field and for the planning, execu- tion and operation of irrigation projects. The consultants' report will include recommendations for the establishment of fellowships for specialized training in the fields of power and irrigation • • •