The project is located in the Nueva Cardones, Nueva Maitencillo, and Nueva Pan de Azúcar substations and consists of the installation, in each substation, of a new 500/220 kV autotransformer bank, with 1×750 MVA. The completed and energized works will ensure the coverage of the electrical supply between the Atacama and Metropolitan Regions, with high levels of quality and reliability, in addition to expanding the transformation capacity of the National Electrical System.

The 9 autotransformer units were transported from the Chinese port of Shanghai to the port of San Antonio. Upon arrival in Chile, they were transported to each electrical substation in 3 convoys that took an average of one month each, due to the equipment’s dimensions and road restrictions.

With this project, our transformation capacity in each of these substations is doubled, with two transformation banks now existing for each of them, with a total transformation capacity per substation of 1500 MVA, which allows for greater operational capacity for the system to the benefit of all system actors.

The GIS technology solutions and AIS equipment that allow the operation of the autotransformer banks are provided by SIEMENS in charge of the Engineering, Procurement, and Construction (EPC) of the project.

The indicative investment value of this project is USD 72,519,000, while the indicative annual operating, maintenance, and administrative costs (OMA) are USD 1,665,000.

According to exempt decree 422, dated August 9, 2017, the project consists of modifying the series compensation of the Nueva Pan de Azúcar-Polpaico line 2×500 kV, reducing the series compensation of 53% of the Nueva Pan de Azúcar-Polpaico line 500 kV to half, to be installed only in the Nueva Pan de Azúcar substation, in addition to all the necessary adjustments to the protection and control system. Includes the installation of a 53/2% series compensation on the Nueva Pan de Azúcar-Polpaico 500 kV line, at the Polpaico substation end.

Additionally, two fixed reactor banks of 100 MVAr each will be installed on the Nueva Pan de Azúcar 19.3 kV bus, plus an additional reserve unit to be shared by both banks, and two fixed reactor banks of 50 MVAr on the 19.3 kV bus, plus an additional reserve unit to be shared by both banks.

Finally, two new 50 MVAr static reactive power compensation units of the STATCOM type based on VSC and three power transformers (two main and one for fast change) will be installed, allowing for a variable operating range of +100/-400 MVAr on the 500 kV bus.

This project was awarded to the SIEMENS-HMV consortium in EPC format. The project includes all civil works and tasks necessary for the execution and commissioning of the project, such as adjustments to control and protection systems, connections, among others. The on-site supervision is being carried out by the company WSP.

Current status: commissioning started on April 17th. Approximate commercial operation date May-June 2021.

This project aims to increase the transmission capacity of the mentioned line by changing the existing conductor, which uses 4 ACAR 500 MCM conductors per circuit, to a conductor that allows for a transport capacity of at least 1200 MVA at 35°C with sun. Additionally, the project includes the necessary adjustments to the line and connection areas in both substations to allow for such transfer levels.

This project was awarded to ANDES DE SUR in EPC format. The project includes all civil works and tasks necessary for the execution and commissioning of the project, such as adjustments to control and protection systems, connections, among others.

Current status: obtaining environmental permits and engineering development stage. Approximate commercial operation date, April 2023.

No photographs are available as there are no on-site activities.

This project must expand the 220 kV yard of the Nueva Pan de Azúcar substation through the incorporation of a new central switch, maintaining the existing technology (GIS), along with the extension of the platform and bus for a future diagonal in switch and a half configuration.

This project was awarded to the company ANDES DEL SUR in EPC format. The project includes all civil works and tasks necessary for the execution and commissioning of the project, such as adaptation of control and protection systems, connections, among others.

Current status: environmental permits and engineering development stage. Expected commercial operation date: approximately April 2023.

There are no photos available as there are no on-site activities.