Southern Cone power watch: Projects, climate bonds, grid work

Chile’s environmental evaluation service SEA this week accepted solar PV, grid and thermoelectric projects for evaluation.

Officials agreed to process environmental impact assessments filed for five solar PV parks with combined investments of US$50mn: Polpaico, Dúcula Solar, Michay, Los Maquis Solar and Montecinos. 

They also began processing a US$5.54mn grid project – Los Poetas substation and 1x66kV line Algarrobo-Los Poetas – and the US$7.0mn LPG-fired Las Lengas power station project.

Earlier in the month, a US$23.3mn grid project – the Epuleufu substation and 1x66kV line Angol-Epuleufu – was submitted for evaluation, along with US$120mn wind park Dañicalqui.

Local power generator Colbún’s US$570mn Junquillos wind park was voluntary pulled out of the environmental evaluation system. 

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Uruguay’s government is planning to issue climate bonds and has published an associated issuance framework.

The yield of the debt instruments will be linked to the intensity of greenhouse gas emissions and the conservation of native forests.

Uruguayan officials have worked with the IDB and UN on the bonds.

“Uruguay intends to align its national financing strategy and borrowing costs with its sustainability efforts, creating a tool that articulates the countries and their investor base for the provision of global public goods,” the office of the presidency said in a statement.

Uruguay obtains almost all of its electricity from renewable sources, chiefly wind and hydropower, and is working to develop a green hydrogen industry.

Officials recently outlined the country’s power generation development plan. 

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Argentine power regulator Enre authorized access to and expansion of transport capacity, as requested by transmission firm Transba on behalf of Buenos Aires province distributor Cooperativa Eléctrica de Monte Hermoso, according to a government resolution. 

Enre granted a certificate of public need and convenience for the construction of a new 33kV power line outlet at the De Monte Hermoso transformer station. 

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Argentine transmission firm Transnoa, on behalf of Salta province distributor Edesa, sought from Enre a certificate of public need and convenience for a 13.2kV connection point at the Joaquín V. González transformer station, according to a separate government resolution.