Chile’s transmission expansion plans for 2021

Chile’s 2021 plan to expand its transmission system involves implementing 128 new projects and would entail total investments of US$717mn.

According to national grid coordinator CEN, 15 projects would extend the national transmission system, while 113 (totaling US$302mn investments) are smaller regional transmission projects.

One of the key upgrades to the grid is the expansion of the Kimal substation in Antofagasta region ahead of the connection of the US$1.2bn Kimal-Lo Aguirre line, Chile’s biggest current transmission project. The tender process for the line is well underway and the contract should be awarded later this year.

CEN’s five-year plan starting this year involves tendering US$3.2bn in new transmission investments split among 300 projects, according to local press reports, a significant acceleration considering that investments totaled US$2.8bn between 2011 and 2019.

According to the BNamericas database, the three largest transmission projects currently under construction in Chile are the following:

Pichirropulli-Tineo

This US$138mn transmission line is being built by Transelec and will connect two districts in the Los Ríos region in southern Chile.

The project is expected to go into operation in July of this year.

Los Changos-Kimal

Another Transelec project, this transmission line is intended to connect to substations in northern Chile’s Antofagasta region.

While grid coordinator CEN was expected the project to come online at the end of last year, it is now expected to be put into operation on an unspecified date this year.

MAPA – Lagunillas

This line, owned by forestry firm Arauco, would connect a US$220mn biomass power plant to the Lagunillas substation in the center-south Biobío region.

The project was expected to come online in the second half of 2020, but is now expected to go into operation at some point this year.