Conexión Energía officially launched construction of the Kimal Lo Aguirre HVDC line , Chile's first high-voltage direct current (HVDC) infrastructure, which will connect the Antofagasta and Metropolitan regions via a 1,346 km route . The project, considered one of the most ambitious in the history of Chilean transmission, aims to solve a structural problem: the lack of capacity to evacuate renewable energy generation to consumption centers. "Today marks the beginning of a new stage, more than three years of construction where public-private coordination will continue to be key to meeting deadlines, standards, and commitments."
“The construction of the Kimal-Lo Aguirre line is no small feat,” stated Sebastián Fernández , General Manager of Conexión Energía , during the groundbreaking ceremony. “ Unlike traditional AC lines, HVDC technology allows for the transmission of large amounts of energy over long distances with lower electrical losses, greater system stability, better operational control, and more efficient use of land,” he added. The HVDC line will operate at 600,000 volts , have a transmission capacity of 3,000 MW , and will cross 28 municipalities across 5 districts , with a total of 2,692 structures .
In addition, two converter substations will be installed at either end of the line: one in Kimal (Antofagasta) and the other in Lo Aguirre (Metropolitan Region), which will be essential for the system's operation. "This line is not only the first high-voltage direct current line in the country, but also the longest project ever built in Chile, probably the most geographically challenging, and one that positions us at the forefront of the electricity transmission sector in Latin America," said Fernández. The Kimal-Lo Aguirre project represents a firm step toward decarbonization. The line will allow renewable energy generated in the north to reach the center of the country with greater stability , bringing us closer to the goal of having a 100% clean energy mix by 2050. "With the construction and commissioning of the project, costs will be reduced because cheaper energy will arrive from the north, energy that is currently unavailable in the center of the country," acknowledged Chile's Minister of Energy and Economy, Álvaro García. A long-term story Conexión Energía 's journey with this project began in 2022 , with the formation of its first board of directors.
That same year, the environmental impact study began.
In April 2023 , the company structured a $480 million green loan as part of a voluntary negotiation involving 491 private properties . By October 2024 , the project had been formally submitted to the Environmental Assessment System (SEA), and in November 2025, it received its Environmental Qualification Resolution (RCA) . Between December of that year and January 2026, the first containers of infrastructure components began arriving at Puerto Angamos and San Antonio , allowing construction to begin in February of this year. With a project of this magnitude, aimed at transforming the national electrical infrastructure, Kimal Lo Aguirre is establishing itself as a key pillar for Chile's energy transition. It is doing so with cutting-edge technology, an integrated approach, and a roadmap that aligns the country with the demands of a modern, sustainable, and resilient electrical system.