Chile made progress in the execution of its package of Necessary and Urgent Transmission Works with the publication of the minutes that award three projects to Cobra for a combined Investment Value (VI) of USD 33.21 million .
The two interventions in Temuco were jointly awarded to the Cobra Consortium for USD 19,521,339 , while Cobra Montajes, Servicios y Agua Ltda obtained the expansion of the Guindo Substation for USD 13,691,850 .
In total, the company is concentrating the execution of the three works that were awarded within the process, for an exact amount of USD 33,213,189 .
In Temuco, the package includes the “Expansion at S/E Temuco 220 kV (BPS+BT) and new 66 kV yard (BPS+BT)” and the “Expansion at S/E Temuco (NTR ATAT)” .
The first project involves expanding the 220 kV facilities and constructing a new 66 kV switchyard, while the second incorporates a 220/66 kV transformer of at least 90 MVA . Both projects were conceived as linked initiatives, and their awarding was therefore contingent upon each other.
In parallel, the expansion of the Guindo substation seeks to reinforce the transformation capacity through a new 66/15 kV equipment of at least 30 MVA , along with the expansion of the 66 kV yard and the construction of new 15 kV facilities.
The Coordinator had already reported on August 6 that, of the five projects tendered under this mechanism, three had been awarded and two had been left vacant , with a total VI of close to USD 33 million.
Two CGE projects were left without an award
The same process included two projects linked to CGE Transmisión that were not awarded: the “Increase in capacity of the 1x66 kV Curicó–Rauquén line” and the “Expansion at S/E Ranguilí (NTR ATMT) and new storage system” .
Both projects are part of Exempt Decree No. 10, which defined the set of necessary and urgent works. Their reference investment values were set at USD 5.53 million for Curicó–Rauquén and USD 18.28 million for Ranguilí .
The Coordinator's presentation on August 6 shows that CGE put two projects out to tender and did not award any , while Transelec awarded the two it was in charge of and Besalco did the same with one.
The progress of these projects is taking place within a system experiencing increasing renewable energy generation and greater demands on electrical infrastructure. As of June 2026, renewable energy sources represented 52% of Chile's 38,204 MW of net installed capacity , while during 2025 the country accumulated 5,700 GWh of reductions in solar and wind power generation , according to the National Electric Coordinator.
Meanwhile, energy storage has ceased to be a marginal factor in the operation of the National Interconnected System (SEN). The Coordinator reported in August that Chile has 5,789 MW and approximately 25 GWh of battery storage and energy efficiency systems (BSES) in operation and testing , which accumulated 2.56 TWh of energy injection during 2026. In this context, the Ranguilí project stands out for incorporating a 7 MW/28 MWh battery as a solution directly linked to grid reinforcement , and not merely as a complement to a renewable energy plant.
Continue reading
Ranguilí contemplated a 7 MW/28 MWh BESS
The Ranguilí project incorporates a storage system with a power of 7 MW and at least 28 MWh of capacity , equivalent to four hours of discharge at nominal power.
The project also includes a new 66/13.8 kV transformer of at least 20 MVA , expansions to the substation and a 5 MVAr capacitor bank.
The National Energy Commission had identified this solution to address sufficiency problems on the 1x66 kV Los Maquis–Hualañé line , especially during the summer period, when demand increases and high temperatures reduce the transmission capacity of the lines.
The BESS was sized to contribute to the supply of the Villa Prat, Parronal, Hualañé, Licantén and Ranguilí substations, in addition to reducing the load on the system in the area.
The published minutes do not detail why the two projects linked to CGE were left without an award, nor what mechanism will be used to try to complete them later.
The CGE process had registered three participants , according to background information presented by the Coordinator, so the lack of award does not necessarily imply a lack of interest.
The future of Ranguilí is thus left pending despite having been incorporated into the mechanism of necessary and urgent works , designed to accelerate infrastructure solutions to needs identified in the network.
The failure to award these two projects adds to a broader picture of difficulties in developing electrical infrastructure in Chile. As of May 31, the Coordinator was overseeing 161 projects , 40% of which were more than 10% behind schedule . This figure rose to 49% for new projects and 46% for expansions , with delays primarily related to permits, land management, rebidding processes, and construction requirements.
----
Strategic Energy will be present at Intersolar
LATAM is going through a key moment for the expansion of renewable energies, driven by new regulatory challenges, the growth of electricity demand and the development of storage.
In this context, Energía Estratégica will be present at two of the leading solar industry events in Latin America: The Smarter E South America, from August 25 to 27 in São Paulo, Brazil, and Intersolar Mexico, from September 1 to 3 in Mexico City . From both events, the publication will provide special coverage with exclusive interviews, regulatory analysis, and the key developments that will shape the future of regional markets.