Ecuador’s state power corporation Celec’s transmission unit Transelectric has launched a bidding process to expand the country’s electrical grid to address electricity dispatch issues. The bidding process includes the construction of a 138kV line Delsitanisagua-Cumbaratza (20km) and 230kV lines Cumbaratza-Los Encuentros (45km) and Los Encuentros-Bomboiza (30km) to transport production from several power plants to cover demand in the south and southeast. The contract is worth US$17.8mn and is due by August 21. Another tender for the expansion of the Cumbaratza, Bomboiza, and Loja substations is also underway, with bids for the US$11.2mn, 680-day contract due by August 19.
Ecuador has been facing an energy crisis, and in recent days, the country experienced a nationwide blackout due to a fault on the Milagro-Zhoray transmission line. The power grid operator Cenace reported a 7% increase in demand for electricity in the first five months of 2024 compared to the same period last year. The expansion of the electrical system is expected to improve the energy supply and reduce the frequency of electricity cuts.
The expansion of the grid will transport production from the Delsitanisagua, Sabanilla, Villonaco, Huascachaca, and Huayrapamba power plants. The expansion will also help to address the energy emergency that has been affecting residents and businesses in the country. The investment in the expansion of the grid is part of the government’s efforts to increase power generation from hydroelectric plants and reduce dependence on fossil fuels. The energy minister, Roberto Luque, has been leading the efforts to address the energy crisis and improve the national interconnected electrical energy system.