Under the €260m contract, Alstom will build and supply three new 500kV substations in Chacayita, Los Changos and Cumbres, as well as expand the Nueva Cardones substation, all for the country’s first interconnection system, Mejillones – Cardones transmission system.
Led by the Chilean Energy Ministry, the interconnection project is designed to develop sustainable power supply in order to address the increasing power needs in the region.
Planned to be completed in 2017, the country-wide 580km electric highway system will connect the two existing highways which include the Central Interconnected System (SIC) and the Interconnected System of Norte Grande (SING).
Covering central Chile, the SIC supplies about 70% of the electricity generation while SING, which serves northern Chile transmits a further 20% of the electricity.
The contract envisages supply of Alstom air-insulated and gas-insulated substations, with a total transmitting capacity of 1500MW.
In order to help make the electrical network efficient and secure, the company will also deploy high voltage power compensation products, as part of the deal.
Alstom will manufacture all equipment at its facilities in Brazil, China, Finland and France.
Alstom Grid Latin America vice-president Sergio Gomes said: "It is a fantastic opportunity for Alstom to put its innovative technologies to the fore again and contribute to improving the electricity supply for the Chilean people, while bolstering the Chilean economy."
