CHILE — Private companies have proposed 164 projects to expand Chile’s transmission infrastructure that involve a combined $3.84 billion in new investments.

The projects were presented as part of Chile’s 2021 transmission expansion call and include several large-scale transmission storage projects using various technologies, including compressed air and conventional batteries, reports BNAmericas.

Around 24 companies presented projects, including Chile's largest transmission players Transelec, Transmisora Eléctrica del Norte, Saesa, Chilquinta, CGE, Colbún and Engie, among others.

The largest projects include two compressed air storage units presented by Canadian storage solutions provider Hydrostor and local generation company AME - the $662 million Transición and $505 million Innovación initiatives.

These facilities would be located in the Tarapacá region of northern Chile and would have the storage capacity of 350 MW and 250 MW, respectively. Both projects contribute to the efficiency of the national transmission system, AME and Hydrostor said in their proposal.

Chilean development firm Valhalla, through the subsidiary Espejo de Tarapacá, also proposed a large-scale project, the $600 million Azul substation.

Other notable projects include the construction of a new set of lines proposed by Enel Green Power Chile that would cost $235 million and connect the Parinas substation in Atacama region to the Nogales substation in the central Valparaíso region, passing through Nueva Maitencillo and Nueva Pan de Azúcar. The project would also involve expanding Nogales, Enel Green Power said.

The projects will be assessed by energy regulator Comisión Nacional de Energía (CNE) to determine whether they are worth including in the country's 2021 transmission expansion plan.

Source: BNAmericas