EDP advances plans for Colombia wind grid link

EDP Renewables has submitted an environmental impact study for a transmission project that will link its Alpha and Beta wind farms to Colombia's national electricity grid. 

The 220kV power lines are earmarked for the municipalities of Albania, Maicao and Uribia in La Guajira department and will be connected to the Cuestecitas substation, according to documents seen by BNamericas. 

Investment in the transmission infrastructure is put at 351bn pesos (US$87mn).

Madrid-based EDP Renewables is developing the project through its local subsidiary Eolos Energía. 

The Alpha and Beta wind farms are among Colombia's largest non-conventional renewable power projects. 

According to BNamericas' database, Alpha will have installed capacity of 121MW and span 101ha in Maicao. Forecast capital expenditure for the project is US$250mn.

Slated for the municipalities of Maicao and Uribia, Beta will boast 280MW of capacity and has associated capex of US$260mn. 

The environmental impact study for the transmission project can be seen in the link in the top-right corner of the screen.