Chile launches fourth transmission auction of 2024

Chile’s grid coordinator CEN kicked off the country’s fourth transmission auction of the year.

CEN is offering construction contracts for 11 national and zonal system expansion projects involving combined outlay of US$34.5mn.

The tender comprises projects being offered for the first time along with some that have previously been put on the auction block.

The process corresponds to transmission regulation article No. 157 and to decrees No. 4/2024 and No. 200/2022. 

Projects include 110kV and 220kV substation expansion work along with boosting capacity of a 1x66kV power line.

Asset owners are Engie Energía Chile, CGE Transmisión, Transemel, Chilquinta Transmisión, Alfa Transmisora de Energía, Eletrans and Sistema de Transmisión del Sur, according to auction documents.

Bids will be received April 21-23, 2025, with opening scheduled for April 24. 

In related news, bids were due to be opened by CEN on Thursday for projects in the country’s first transmission auction of 2024. The process also comprises projects being auctioned for the first time along with some that have previously been offered. Total investment is estimated at US$224mn.

Two other auctions are underway in parallel. 

Grid officials have previously underscored the importance of expanding zonal transmission infrastructure, particularly to bolster supply to the industrial sector in the central zone of the country.

The government’s energy transition bill, being debated in congress, contains measures to help support the bolstering and modernization of the grid. The draft legislation has already cleared the senate. 

CEN’s auction calendar can be accessed here.