The government of Ecuador, through the Ministry of Environment and Energy and the state-owned utility Corporación Eléctrica del Ecuador (CELEC EP), is investing USD 278 million to reinforce the country"s National Transmission System (SNT).
These are multi-year projects, with construction and upgrades continuing throughout the year.
During 2025, CELEC EP via its transmission business unit Transelectric allocated USD 114.9 million to complete three new transmission systems and expand four existing substations.
The objective is to enhance grid reliability, operational capacity and power supply security nationwide.
New transmission systems commissioned in 2025Among the projects completed are three high-capacity transmission systems, each rated at 150 megavolt-amperes (MVA):
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La Avanzada transmission system (230/138 kV), serving the province of El Oro, was inaugurated on 16 October.
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Tanicuchí transmission system (230/138 kV), whose substation was energised on 12 December.
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Cajas transmission system (230/69 kV), energised on 20 December, strengthening grid operations in the province of Imbabura.
These assets are designed to support growing electricity demand, reduce congestion and improve voltage stability in strategic regions.
Strategic substation upgradesIn parallel, CELEC EP completed capacity expansions at key substations within the SNT:
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Guayas province: Posorja (first stage, 138/69 kV, 67 MVA) and Durán (69 kV).
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Pichincha province: El Inga substation, expansion of the 138 kV yard.
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Sucumbíos province: Jivino substation (230 kV).
Additionally, in 2025 CELEC EP advanced construction on 11 transmission projects, representing an investment of USD 154.6 million, aimed at optimising grid performance across multiple regions.
Key developments include:
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Orquídeas transmission system, improving power delivery to northern Guayaquil (USD 38.6 million).
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Delsitanisagua Cumbaratza Bomboiza system, strengthening electricity supply in Zamora Chinchipe (USD 44.2 million).
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Tisaleo Totoras transmission line in Tungurahua province (USD 5.4 million).
These projects are complemented by further substation expansions critical to increasing electricity supply capacity:
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Guayas: Esclusas (USD 13.2 million), Salitral (USD 29.3 million), Posorja second stage (USD 5.3 million), and Orquídeas substation (USD 26.3 million).
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Manabí: Manta 2 substation (USD 9.9 million).
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Esmeraldas: Esmeraldas substation (USD 5.4 million).
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Loja: Loja substation (USD 1.9 million).
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Cañar: Taday substation (USD 7.7 million).
Beyond expansion works, CELEC EP carried out 3,340 maintenance interventions across the National Transmission System during 2025, investing USD 8.5 million.
These actions are essential to ensure the reliable and continuous operation of Ecuador"s power grid, particularly as the country strengthens its energy infrastructure to support economic growth and long-term energy security.