Astaldi has been awarded a contract of USD282 million (Astaldi's share is 95% of it) for the construction of the Chacayes dam, in the valley of the Cachapoal river. The plant will have an output capacity of 106 MW and will entail the construction of more than 6 km of tunnels and a complex water inlet system. Works are expected to be completed within 2011. The owner is Australian group Pacific Hydro. Visit www.astaldi.com and www.pacifichydro.com.auAt present, Pacific Hydro is involved in the development of the Chacayes hydropower plant in the Upper Cachapoal valley, the largest hydroelectric power project presently being carried out in Chile, an initiative of an overall value of more than USD1 billion. Further to the Chacayes dam, the project involves the construction of three additional hydroelectric power plants in the valley for a total output of 555 MW together with the existing Coya and Pangal plants. Nido de Aguilas, jointly with Las Leí±as, will produce 282 MW. Completion of both is expected in 2012. Las Maravillas (78 MW) is scheduled for completion in 2014. Astaldi and Pacific Hydro have already entered into an exclusivity agreement paving the way to the signing of additional contracts during 2009, of a total value of USD600 million. 39/08.