Chile and Bolivia resume dialogue for possible electricity integration

The Ministry of Energy of Chile highlighted the reestablishment of relations between Chile and Bolivia in energy matters. This was announced after a meeting held in the last week of 2021, with representatives of both portfolios in which the terms of reference for the study of electrical interconnection between both countries. This will be financed by the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB), which will hold a tender and expected results to be announced next year.

If this integration is carried out, geothermal generation can be boosted in the vicinity of the 81 MW Cerro Pabellón geothermal plant located in the Ollahue commune, almost on the border with Bolivia. On the other side of the border is the Laguna Colorada geothermal field, where a 5 MW plant is under development and a 100 MW expansion is planned. Undoubtedly, an electrical integration will improve the conditions for geothermal development in both countries through the expansion of the market.

This initiative is part of the Andean Electrical Integration System (Sinea), which seeks to create an Andean electrical corridor that connects the electrical systems of Colombia, Ecuador, Peru, Bolivia and Chile. In accordance with the provisions of the 2020-2030 Roadmap, established at the meeting of Ministers in December 2020, Chile and Bolivia agreed to prepare a Study of Interconnection Alternatives between both countries that provides the information necessary to make decisions about the future. of the interconnection between the two countries.

The study seeks to define the possible interconnection alternatives of the electrical systems of Bolivia and Chile, quantifying the joint and individual economic and environmental benefits for each country that allow identifying the technical characteristics of the transmission facilities required for said interconnection, in terms of capacity. and configuration.

Source: Revistaei via our Spanish platform PiensaGeotermia