Chile's Energy Commission (CNE) has taken a significant step towards the expansion and enhancement of its energy infrastructure. In a move to address pressing energy demands, CNE recently published a roster of 14 transmission projects as part of an open season initiative. The commission had earlier called upon energy companies to submit proposals for essential expansion and new-build projects that were not part of CNE's annual development plans.

Primarily focusing on substation projects, the 14 proposed ventures have now entered the next phase, which involves presenting detailed project specifications to CNE for urgent consideration. This initiative allowed transmission property owners to present expansion projects, while eligible firms from the electric power sector could propose new-build projects.

Marco Mancilla, Executive Secretary of CNE, highlighted that the project list demonstrates an integration of cutting-edge technologies to enhance flexibility in the northern region's transmission networks. The initiative also aims to fortify other regions, particularly in the south and the Santiago metropolitan area, through the establishment of new substations and the expansion of existing facilities.

Running in parallel to this effort, the grid coordinator CEN has launched two standard auction processes. One process focuses on new-build and conditional expansion projects, while the other centers around expansion works. Additionally, a voltage control ancillary services auction is currently underway. This strategic move seeks to maintain system reliability in the northern grid as the integration of renewable energy rises and thermoelectric units are phased out.

The recent unveiling of the government's energy transition bill in congress introduces significant changes in transmission expansion planning. Instead of an annual planning process, the bill advocates for biannual planning. The draft legislation also provides avenues for urgent and vital infrastructure projects to streamline planning requirements, enabling CEN and property owners to auction these projects.

The ongoing efforts to bolster Chile's transmission, energy storage, and distribution infrastructure are in line with the country's ambitious net-zero emissions goal for 2050. These initiatives play a pivotal role in accommodating new utility-scale and distributed generation assets, which are crucial components of Chile's sustainable energy future.

Source: Bnamericas