The Redenor project had an investment of more than US 100 million. The commissioning of the second stage included three new transmission lines that link the communes of Pozo Almonte, Alto Hospicio and Arica, allowing the National Electrical System to be strengthened.
Supported by the main regional authorities and senior executives, the Minister of Energy Diego Pardow, inaugurated the Entry into Operation of the second stage of the Red Eléctrica del Norte Project (REDENOR) – a subsidiary of Redinter –, which included the construction of 276 km of new 220 kV power lines that connect the Nueva Pozo Almonte Sectioning Substation with the Cóndores, Pozo Almonte and Parinacota substations.
A project that benefits more than half a million people in the north of the country, constituting a significant step in strengthening the National Electric System in Arica and Parinacota and Tarapacá, and which is key infrastructure for the development and integration of the renewable energies that proliferate in these regions to provide clean energy to the rest of the country.
The Minister of Energy, Diego Pardow, highlighted this type of works that cement the country's energy development: "The arrival of new electrical infrastructure is always good news for the country. The second stage of the energy transition demands that we advance more and more in terms of transmission and infrastructure. In addition, with these new power lines new jobs are being created, something fundamental for the Tarapacá region. The just transition must always be with the communities."
David Montero, Country Manager of Redinter, highlighted the positive impact that the entry into operation of the second stage of REDENOR has, both for the country and at the regional level. “The economic and social contribution of the project is very relevant since, in addition to the contribution it represents to Chile's energy transition, allowing it to be a connection point for different energy generation projects, it favors the security and quality of electricity supply in the North of the country".
Montero also pointed out the importance of this type of infrastructure that requires a vision at the country level. “These works are true energy highways that are key to the development of the country. Without infrastructure there is no energy transition and with this delivery, we want to be consistent with the challenge of being relevant players in the industry.”
A major infrastructure project for the country that is in line with the approaches of the Ministry of Energy's roadmap, which has as its goal the decarbonization of the electrical matrix, and that includes the vision of various actors in the sector with the aim of enabling the progressive reduction of emissions from the electricity sector and the incorporation of clean energy.
The inauguration of this stage of Redenor and the Nueva Pozo Almonte Substation is a work that has been developed over the last 7 years and will help combat the increase in discharges and will contribute to the reduction of the rates of unavailability of electricity supply in thousands of homes and industries so that they can develop in the face of the country's permanent challenges.
Redinter will continue to strengthen its operations and plans to decarbonize the economy, promoting the transition towards an energy model without emissions, betting on the electrification of the economy and being a facilitator for the integration of clean energies.