The high-voltage, direct current (HVDC) line will transport energy from the north to the central regions. Tractebel is supporting client ENGIE during the bid preparation phase.
Chile has set a goal of total withdrawal from the use of coal plants by 2040. To drive this objective, the Chilean National Energy Commission (CEN) proposed the high-voltage, direct current (HVDC) line between Kimal and Lo Aguirre under its annual Transmission Expansion Plan for the national electric system. The project will enable the transport of energy produced at renewable energy sites in northern Chile, which due to current congestion of transmission lines are not being utilized to full capacity.
| Client | ENGIE |
|---|---|
| Location | Chile |
| Period | 2022 -2028 |
| Capacity | +/- 600 kV |
Tractebel to oversee bid preparation phase
Tractebel is acting as Owner’s Engineer in a collaboration between our Transmission Energy experts in Chile and Brazil and partner ENGIE Impact to provide the client with full support during the bid preparation phase. Our mandate is as follows:
The pre-feasibility analysis began in February 2021 and is estimated to end in September 2021.
1,500 km of HVDC line to transport renewable energy
The project entails the construction of a ±600 kV HVDC line of roughly 1,500 km in length between Kimal and Lo Aguirre, with two AC/DC converter substations. AC transmission lines are also foreseen between the new substations and the existing ones in Kimal (220 kV) and Lo Aguirre (500 kV). Construction is expected to start in January 2022 and wrap up by December 2028.
