Announcement of the Financing of the Cost of Engaging Specialized Consultants to Assist the in Preparation of a National Electrification Plan for Ecuador on March 29, 1963

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE WORLD INTERNATIONAL BANK FOR • RECONSTRUCTION AND DEVELOPMENT 1818 H STREET, N.W., WASHINGTON 25, D. C. TELEPHONE: EXECUTIVE 3-6360 March 29, 1963 SUBJECT: Electric Power Plan for Ecuador Ecuador's Institute of Electrification and the World Bank have agreed to join in financing the cost of engaging specialized consultants to assist the Institute in the first steps toward the preparation of a national electrification plan for Ecuador. The foreign exchange cost, amounting to $120 1 000, will be covered. by a grant from the Bank. The local currency cost will be met by the Institute. The Institute was established in 1961 by the Government of Ecuador to prepare a national electrification plan for Ecuador. The Institute was also asked to ~ develop standards for the electrical industry, make regulations for granting power concessions, and assist in expanding power generation. A team of experts will be provided by the New York firm of J. G. White Engineering Corporation, which has been retained as consultants by the Institute. The principal task of the team wj.11 be to assist the Institute staff in reviewing the charter of the Institute and recommending such revisions as may be needed for its effective operation; preparing a program for gathering basic data needed for a survey of hydraulic resources; preparing standards and regulation for the electric power industry; establishing priorities for feasibility studies for power projects and studying the possibility of extending transmission lines; and assisting the Institute in selecting and training additional local and foreign personnel. The team is expected to arrive in F.cuador this week nnd will sperui • about a year there • This is the second technical assistance study in Ecuador being assisted by the Bank. Early this year, the Bank agreed to provide $340,000 to cover the foreign exchange cost of a comprehensive study of transport facilities there.