The National Electric Coordinator of Chile proposed to the National Energy Commission (CNE) a total of 45 projects to expand the transmission system , in compliance with article 91° of the General Law of Electric Services (LGSE).
The recommendations consider 12 national transmission projects, equivalent to a reference investment of 343 million dollars, and 33 zonal initiatives, for 384 million dollars, which seek to optimize transmission capacity, guaranteeing operational efficiency, minimizing supply risks and promoting greater competition in the electricity market, which is interconnected between Arica and Chiloé.
Among the main proposed works are:
- In the north of the country, expand with new transformers in substations Nueva Lagunas, Kimal, Miraje and Jadresic, aimed at increasing the transformation capacity between 500 kV and 220 kV, promoting supply and facilitating competition.
- To reinforce the transmission infrastructure in the Norte Grande, the sectioning of the 2 500 kV Los Changos Kimal line is proposed.
- Increased capacity of line 2 220 kV Kimal Crucero, intended to respond to the congestion expected in this section and reinforce the flows towards the Kimal substation.
- To strengthen the axis between the north and center of the country, it is suggested to build a new 220 kV Manuel Rodríguez Agua Santa line, which increases the transmission capacity in the 220 kV corridor between the Agua Santa and Manuel Rodríguez substations.
- To strengthen the supply capacity of the Metropolitan Region and maintain the N-1 safety criterion, it is proposed to expand, with new transformers, the Polpaico, Lo Aguirre and Alto Jahuel substations, along with the increase in capacity of the 220 kV Polpaico Cerro Navia line.
- To reinforce the security of supply in the Metropolitan Region, the New Lo Curro Substation and a new 220 kV Lo Curro Isabel Riquelme line are proposed, through a new support point at 220 kV.
- Laying of the second 1 220 kV Lo Aguirre Alto Melipilla circuit, intended to respond to the congestion expected in that section, reinforcing the flows towards the Lo Aguirre substation.
This year's proposals are complementary to those made by the Coordinator in the 2025 process currently under review by the National Energy Commission, which included a total of 46 initiatives.
The implementation of these works will allow us to face the future challenges of the electrical system, ensuring a robust and resilient transmission capacity.
Each of the proposed projects was analyzed using advanced electrical tools and modeling, which allowed us to identify their effects on sufficiency, safety and the operation at minimum cost of the system, whose purpose is to promote the lowest possible electricity prices.
To develop this recommendation, the Coordinator carried out joint work with the industry and relevant actors during 2025.
This process included technical workshops and working groups between May and September, in which topics such as the diagnosis of system usage and expansion alternatives were discussed.
These activities proved fundamental for the inclusion of observations and proposals that enriched the final document.
Furthermore, the document addresses 107 comments submitted by 12 companies on the Diagnostic Report, as well as 70 comments submitted by 16 companies on the Preliminary Report for this proposed project, which was released a few weeks ago. Full report and corresponding annexes