This week, the Energy portfolio published Resolution 40477 (VER) , which confirms the Reference Expansion Plan Generation Transmission 2022-2036, prepared by the Mining-Energy Planning Unit (UPME).
There, six transmission works are confirmed, which must be carried out through Public Bidding or STN Expansions , "as appropriate", the authority indicates.
They all have a launch horizon no later than mid-2026 .
But the most outstanding project, outside of these six and which has not yet been fully determined, is the High Voltage Direct Current (HVDC) Transmission Line - Alta Guajira: Collector 2.
"The UPME will delve deeper into the cost-benefit analysis of the 600 kV HVDC Transmission Line , type VSC, bipolar with metallic return, in order to determine whether the connection of the Colectora 2 500 kV substation should be with the Primavera 500 kV substation or with the Cerromatoso 500 kV substation, and with this it will guide the type(s) of routes (land and/or submarine)," the Ministry warns.
The energy planning agency is evaluating three options. These are: Option 1 : A +/-600 kV HVDC VSC two-pole transmission line from Colectora 2 to Cerromatoso, with an approximately 654 km land route. Option 2 : A +/-600 kV HVDC VSC two-pole transmission line from Colectora 2 to Cerromatoso, with an approximately 815.9 km route, consisting of a 665 km marine section and a 150.6 km land section. Option 3 : A +/-600 kV HVDC VSC two-pole transmission line from Colectora 2 to Primavera, with an approximately 713 km land route.
A document published earlier this year indicates that this mega transmission project could carry a total of 3 GW, in different stages, and could be ready by December 2032 .
"It is assumed that all generation to be connected to the Colectora 2 - 500 kV substation corresponds to non-conventional renewable energy sources (NCRES), primarily wind power projects, taking into account the availability of this resource in La Guajira," the document states. The six projects to be tendered: Under the 2022-2036 Generation and Transmission Reference Expansion Plan, the Petro administration will add six new electrical projects to the portfolio, which will be considered of "public utility and social interest." These are: Works in Córdoba : a) Second circuit Cerromatoso - Sahagún - Chinú 500 kV, with an operational start date of June 2026. b) Central cut in diameter one of the Chinú 220 kV substation, with an operational start date of November 2024. Works in Valle : a) Compensation bay, central cut for the new diameter, transformer bay in diameter two, with an operational start date of December 2024. Works in Bolívar: a) Third transformer in the Bolívar 500/220 kV substation, with an operational start date of June 2026. Works in Risaralda : a) Installation of a second transformer in the La Virginia 500/230 kV substation by relocating an existing transformer, with an operational start date of December 2024. Works in Arauco : a) Reconfiguration of the Banadía 230 kV substation from single busbar to main busbar plus BPT Transfer Bar, with an entry into operation date of November 2025.