Ecuador participates in a regional electricity project

Ecuadortimes:

The objective of the plan is the construction of two networks in Ecuadorian territory: from the Chorrillos substation to Pasaje and from there to the border with Peru.

The varying levels of electric power in the countries of the Andean Community of Nations (CAN) motivate them to create an interconnected system to facilitate their commercialization. Currently, Ecuador, Peru and Colombia prepare the commercial and operational regulations to activate this regional process.

Why is it important for Ecuador? The Minister of Energy and Non-Renewable Natural Resources, Carlos Pérez, explained that the regulations will allow one country to use the remaining energy of another. “With this there will be an agreement so that the commercialization of the excess energy that the countries have is more just,” he said. In the case of Ecuador, the installed electric capacity exceeds 7,000 MV, while the national demand is only 4,000 MV. That is why energy is even exported to Colombia.

However, during the dry season (September – November) there is an energy deficit and it is necessary to import. The Ministry of the industry informed EL TELÉGRAFO that the regulations are expected to be approved this year 2019.

These documents seek to strengthen the supranational norm of the CAN that establishes the Andean Electricity Regional Market, as well as the Andean Electric Integration System so that do not miss the energy supply in those countries.

“These benefits will promote a greater use of renewable resources in the region and will bring electricity service to populations that do not have it yet,” said Peru’s energy minister, Francisco Ísmodes.

Ecuador and the southern country already have a work plan for the interconnected system to reach the common border. The construction of a 500,000 volt (v) line is envisioned by the Ecuador Electric Corporation (Celec). However, there is already a transmission line between both countries of 220,000 v.

On the other hand, from the Peruvian side, investment for this line will come from the business sector through the Agency for the Promotion of Private Investment. From there, the design, financing, construction, operation and maintenance of a 500,000 v. Line will be tendered.

This newspaper acceded to the project and it details the adjudication of the section: Piura Nueva-Frontera Substation, which will have a distance of 263.2 km. The investment of the work amounts to $ 145’016.454. This document also details another section, which at the moment is not in tender: from the Piura Substation to the La Niña substation.

It has a dimension of 87 km. In the Peruvian project it is reported that Ecuador must build two sections of 285.6 km in total: The Chorrillos Substation to the Passage Substation and from there to the southern border.

Unlike Peru, the interconnection with Colombia already exists, but it operates at 230,000 and 138,000 v. The electrical integration has advantages. According to the Ministry of Energy, it will allow countries to have more economical electricity and will encourage the reduction of fuel consumption.

It also facilitates the export of surplus energy in periods when there are high flows in hydroelectric plants. From the technical field reduces the risk of not meeting the demand of citizens in the face of failures in the system or in times of increased consumption.

The initiative is also welcomed from the private sector. Jesus Enrique del Vecchio, manager of Aggreko, a UK company that provides electricity generation services, said the project is ambitious.

“It’s a big idea, which needs a long time to execute. But it will allow electricity to reach the cities that require it for economic development, “he said. (I)

Source: https://www.eltelegrafo.com.ec/noticias/economia/4/ecuador-proyecto-electrico-regional