Reinforcing its growth strategy in the country, Transemel - the Chilean electricity transmission company controlled by REN - Redes Energéticas Nacionais, Portugal's electricity transmission and natural gas transportation grid operator - was awarded four strategic projects in the latest bidding process for new electrical transmission system works under Exempt Decree No. 58/2024 from the Ministry of Energy, following the opening of economic bids by the National Electric Coordinator on 29 January 2025.

The projects comprise four substations that will enhance connection capabilities in critical areas of the Metropolitan, Valparaiso, Maule and Bio-Bio regions, representing a total investment of approximately USD 100 million.

Brief overview of the awarded projects:

New S/E Nos (Metropolitan Region): the project involves constructing a new substation by sectioning the 2x110 kV Buin - Tap Off Lo Espejo line, in the section between Tap Off San Bernardo and Buin substation, with their respective line and 110 kV and 12 kV bus bars. This project aims to meet the power demand associated with the San Bernardo district, namely the loads supplied at 12 kV in the sector.

New S/E Llolleo (Valparaíso Region): the project consists of building a new substation by sectioning the 1x110 kV Alto Melipilla - San Antonio and 1x110 kV Leyda - San Antonio lines with their respective line and 110 kV and 12 kV bus bars. The project also includes installing a 110/12 kV transformer with 30 MVA capacity, with Under Load Tap Changer (ULTC) and respective connection bus bars at both voltage levels. This project aims to meet the power demand associated with the city of Llolleo and its surrounding areas.

New S/E Valentín Letelier (Maule Region): the project involves constructing a new substation by sectioning the 1x154 kV Linares - Tap Yerbas Buenas and 1x66 kV Chacahuín - Tap Putagan lines with their respective line and 154 kV, 66 kV and 15 kV bus bars. The project also includes installing a 154/66 kV transformer with 75 MVA capacity with Under Load Tap Changer (ULTC) and a 66/15 kV transformer with 30 MVA capacity with ULTC, both with their respective connection bus bars at the corresponding voltage levels. It should be noted that its objective is to meet the power demand associated with the city of Linares and its surroundings.

New S/E Schwager (Bío-Bío Region): the project involves constructing a new substation by sectioning the 1x220 kV Lagunillas - Bocamina, 1x66 kV Arenas Blancas - Coronel and 1x66 kV Bocamina - Coronel lines with their respective line and 220 kV, 66 kV and 15 kV bus bars. The project also includes installing a bank of 220/66 kV transformers with 150 MVA capacity with Under Load Tap Changer (ULTC) plus a reserve unit, which must have automatic connection, and the installation of a 66/15 kV transformer with 50 MVA capacity with ULTC, both with their respective connection bus bars at their corresponding voltage levels. The construction of these works will enable meeting the power demand associated with the northern area of Coronel Bay and its surroundings.

Thus, in the coming years, Transemel will strengthen its strategic role in Chile's energy backbone, operating thirteen substations across eight regions of the country which, together with the company's more than 100 km of lines, will strengthen the power supply to residential areas. Specifically, the award of these four new works will enable the supply of power to approximately 25,000 households.

It should be noted that this awarding is the result of joint work between the Transemel and REN teams and is aligned with the Portuguese group's conservative growth strategy in the Chilean electricity transmission sector, through projects that contribute to meeting energy transition goals.