Uruguay hopes to install 500MW of wind energy capacity by 2015, an official for state energy company UTE confirmed its president Gonzalo Casaravilla as saying.

The small country sitting north of Argentina hopes to develop 200 MW on its own and 300 MW through the private sector.

Casaravilla said Uruguay hopes to launch an international tender to commission as much as 150 MW to the private sector by April. Shortly after that, another 150 MW tender will be launched, he added.

In related news, Brazilian energy firm Eletrosul last week announced it was considering building a wind park in Uruguay while compatriot turbine maker Wobben revealed it was also interested in expanding in Uruguay.

UTE is working to diversify Uruguay’s grid and the wind-power expansion stems from this effort.

The government is expected to invest $900m to flesh out its public infrastructure this year, part of which will be used to develop the wind sector.