Colombia readying Magangué, Chocó grid projects

The Colombian mines and energy ministry is close to launching tenders for two transmission projects in the country’s Caribbean and Pacific coastal regions.

Ministry planning unit UPME notified potential investors that bidding documents for the Magangué and Chocó developments would be "published in the coming days."

Both initiatives form part of a package of priority projects unveiled by UPME in July to bolster the nation’s electricity grid.

According to the entity's “urgent works” transmission blueprint, the Magangué project comprises a 500/110kV substation and associated power lines in the northern departments of Córdoba and Sucre. 

The Chocó works in western Colombia entail the construction of a new 220/110kV substation and a 30MVA static synchronous compensator to regulate and control voltage. 

Tenders for the projects will benefit from an "express" process featuring reduced bureaucracy and rapid administrative deadlines, according to UPME.

More information about the priority transmission projects can be seen here. 

In August, UPME published draft terms for the design, construction and operation of the 230kV Sopó substations and associated power lines in central Cundinamarca department. 

More information about the project can be seen here.