On August 5 local time, HEI-Contracted Esmeraldas II Thermal Electric Project held completion ceremony. President Rafael Correa, National Strategic Coordination Minister， National Renewal Power Minister, Governor of Esmeraldas Province, Mayor of Esmeraldas and other government officials of Ecuador together with President of CELEC EP and his delegation attended the completion ceremony.

Esmeraldas II Thermal Electric Project is financed by both Chinese government and Ecuador’s Government, taking 27 months till completion with total capacity of 96MW. The project consists of 12 X 8.35MW diesel generators, each 6 units sharing a common bus, which generate about 600 GWh/year. The project can decrease Ecuador’s diesel import by replacing it with No.6 heavy oil for power generation, reducing Ecuador’s energy dependence on neighboring countries. Meanwhile, the project solves the problems for a large number of local population’s employment, stimulates the local regional construction and economic development as well which is a significant project involving Ecuador’s strategic energy development.

Before the completion ceremony, President Correa visited the site’s peripheral area, watched the operation of a unit and spoke highly of site construction and operation conditions.

President Correa addressed his speech at the completion ceremony, emphasizing Ecuador’s environmentally-friendly energy strategy and renewal energy strategy. He also introduced the important significance of Esmeraldas Project for regional prosperity, job creation and promotion of local economy and social development. He also stressed that the construction funding of Minas Project and contractor were all provided by China. He thanked China’s government and people for their assistance to Ecuador, appreciating HEI’s contribution to Ecuador’s renewable energy development strategy, and hoped that there would be more Chinese enterprises involved in the economic construction of Ecuador. President Correa believed that the people will benefit most from the Esmeraldas Project, and he hopes that the citizens of Ecuador could jointly dedicate themselves to the construction of the clean energy projects, contributing to the national development of Ecuador.

President Correa also conducted friendly exchanges of views and interactions. President’s visit has evoked a strong response among all sectors of society. When the domestic TV stations has had an on-the-spot broadcasting on the same day, Medias have given priority to the reports on the whole process of the President’s attending the Esmeraldas Project’s completion ceremony and introduced the projects executed by HEI in Ecuador, which is of important significance for HEI to expand within the South American market and will create a profound impact.