The National Energy Commission (CNE) issued Exempt Resolution No. 39, in which the Preliminary Technical Report (ITP) of the Transmission Expansion Plan corresponding to the year 2023 was approved, which contains a total of 41 works, with a estimated global investment of US$464 million.

After the publication of this preliminary document, which considered the proposals of the electrical companies and the National Electrical Coordinator, the CNE will receive comments from the interested parties to subsequently publish the Final Technical Report during this year.

In the case of the national transmission system, the ITP presents a total of 10 expansion works, the investment of which amounts to a total of approximately US$159 million, of which eight are expansions of existing facilities, for an amount of around US$123 million, and two correspond to new works, for a total of approximately US$36 million.

Regarding the zonal transmission systems, a total of 31 expansion works are presented, the investment of which amounts to a total of approximately US$305 million, of which 21 are expansions of existing facilities, for an amount of approximately US$81 million, and 10 correspond to new works, for a total of approximately US$224 million.

Marco Mancilla, Executive Secretary of the CNE, highlighted the progress of this new process, pointing out the importance of the expansion plans to strengthen the networks of the National Electric System, “providing greater security in their operation and also contributing to the decarbonization process. , since the increase in transmission allows more generation projects to be connected with renewable energies, especially solar and wind, as verified in the number of construction declarations approved by the CNE.”

Ñuble between prioritized projects

Among the most relevant works of ITP, Mancilla highlights the expansion works aimed at supporting the Antofagasta transmission system, which consider 11 initiatives, among which expansions of existing substations, new substations and transmission lines were incorporated with a view to giving solution to the supply, security and reliability problems of the existing transmission system in the city of Antofagasta.

In addition, he highlighted that a new transmission system is contemplated for the Ñuble region, which seeks to solve the demand supply problems, through the new works called Nueva S/E Coihueco, Nueva S/E Pinto and the new Lines 2×66 kV Monterrico – Coihueco and Coihueco – Pinto.

Finally, the authority mentioned the works of the new Flow Control System to reinforce the 220 kV transmission corridor in the southern zone of the electrical system, specifically in the Ciruelos–Nueva Pichirropulli corridor, “with a view to being able to better take advantage of facilities existing through the use of systems that allow dynamic control of transfers in parallel circuits. This allows restrictions to be reduced and enables the development of new renewable generation parks to improve the operational efficiency of the system.”

In turn, the Energy Seremi of the Ñuble Region, Dennis Rivas Oviedo, added that “We continue to advance in energy development for the region, with actions and investments that will gradually provide the available power required for consumption projections. in Ñuble”.