Roundup: Chile transmission plan, Argentina solar project, Uruguay hydrogen regs

2024 transmission plan

Chilean power generators and transmission firms proposed 304 grid projects as part of a process to build an annual transmission plan corresponding to 2024.

Projects, submitted to national energy commission CNE, encompass the areas of energy storage, transmission lines and substations and target both the national and zonal transmission systems.

Investment in zonal transmission systems is deemed particularly necessary, to help bolster supply to the likes of industrial offtakers in Chile’s central zone.

Grid coordinator CEN has also put forward projects, 91 with a combined price tag of around US$1 billion.

The next stage involves CNE analyzing the proposals before issuing a preliminary technical report, due by year-end.

The parties proposing projects are CEN, Transelec, APC-Haura, Sociedad Contractual Minera el Abra, Andes Solar, WPD Malleco, Bioenergías Forestales, WPD Duqueco, Sphera Development, UKA Chile, Biwo Renovables, Parque Eólico Guayacán, Inversiones Bosquemar, AustriaEnergy Diez, AustriaEnergy Chile Doce, EDF EN Chile, Eurus Energy Chile y Albatross Renewables, PSF Canastero, Engie Energía Chile, Enel Green Power, Minera Escondida, RWE Renewables Chile, CGE Transmisión, Chilquinta Transmisión, Eletrans, Celeo Redes Chile, Andes Mainstream, ISA Interchile, Solarpack Chile, Atlas Development Chile, AES Andes, Lader Energy Chile, Acciona Energía, FRV Services Chile, Colbún, Sociedad Transmisora Metropolitana, Sistema de Transmisión del Sur, Minera Spence, Transemel and Luz Parral Transmisión.

CEN has launched its first tranmission auction of 2024.

Argentina solar park

Argentina’s biggest renewables generator, Genneia, added a 180MW solar PV park to its construction pipeline.

Planned for Mendoza region, the US$160 million plant, Anchoris, will join the 93MW Los Molles solar PV plant, under construction in the jurisdiction.

Anchoris, which will provide power to private offtakers in the Mater term market, is due for completion in 4Q25. 

Los Molles, with a price tag of US$90mn, is due to be ready in 2Q25.

Earlier this year Genneia hit the 1GW of installed capacity milestone.

Uruguay hydrogen regulations

Uruguay’s energy and water regulator Ursea is in the process of approving hydrogen safety rules, local media outlet El Observador reported.

A draft was put out to a public consultation that was open until February 5.

The proposed framework is for projects geared to the production of hydrogen as a secondary source of energy.

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