Chile's renewables support new 500-kV line despite opposition - report

Chile's renewable energy sector is concerned about possible delays in the construction of the 500-kV Cardones-Polpaico transmission line, questioned in some municipalities due to its environmental impact.

The line, which Interchile should build in 2016 and 2017, is crucial for connecting many renewable energy projects in the northern sector of Chile's SIC network with consumption centres like Santiago city, Carlos Finat, head of local renewables association Acera, told daily La Tercera last week. He warned that the transmission capacity is already limiting the connection of new plants to the grid and new delays may triple the sector's losses from idle capacity.

Additionally, the uncertain expansion of the grid is seen as an obstacle for renewable energy at the next energy auction.

The 500-kV Cardones-Polpaico line will transport both solar energy from the Tarapaca, Antofagasta and Atacama regions and wind power from Coquimbo, daily Pulso said in a report on Monday. In order to avoid transmission limitations and delays, companies like SunEdison Inc (NYSE:SUNE) prefer to develop their next renewable energy plants closer to the central zone despite better solar irradiation to the north. In 2015, the US company will start building two photovoltaic plants of 110 MW and 145 MW in the municipalities of Colina and Olmue.

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