The Energy and Mining Planning Unit announced the public bids for the National and Regional Transmission System 

On June 1st, 2017, the Energy and Mining Planning Unit (UPME) held an event to reveal and promote the projects of the National Transmission System (STN) and the Regional Transmission System (STR).  In this context, UPME announced the state of implementation and methodology by which the public bids for the Expansion Plan projects (2016-2030), approved by the Ministry of Mines and Energy, will be carried out.

UPME´s General Director, Jorge Alberto Valencia Marín, highlighted the entity´s interest in fostering the progress and implementation of the transmission projects that comprise the Expansion Plan. To this end, he noted that, aware of the challenges and complexity identified in many of the projects, UPME has taken steps to promote a more efficient and harmonious development of projects for investors. To this extent, UPME has carried out efforts to socialize the Expansion Plan with the communities involved, the local authorities and the Regional Autonomous Corporations (Corporaciones Autonomas Regionales) to facilitate the procedures required by the investors in the achievement of the projects, such as in respect with permits and licenses.

In addition, UPME referred to the definition of the intended schedules for the public transmission bids, indicating that an ongoing scheme is being planned to involve a wider timeframe for the expected entry into operation date of the projects. This timeframe will allow the investors to perform the projects on the basis of a more realistic schedule, in line with the needs of each project.

As part of the STN and STR biddings, UPME announced, among others, the transmission projects which will enable the interconnection of renewable energy generation projects. Particularly noteworthy are the STN UPME bidding 09-2016: Líneas Copey a Cuestecitas 500kV y Copey a Fundación a 220kV; and the UPME bid Conexión Eólicas. The first project is expected to guarantee reliability in the departments of Cesar, La Guajira and Magdalena, delimiting the space provided for the connection of new solar and wind power plants. This public call is officially open. Its awarding hearing will be on June 21, 2017, and the project is expected to enter into operation on November 30, 2017.  

On the other hand, with the UPME bid Conexión Eólicas, it is expected to build a 500kV Collector substation with reserve spaces for two transmission lines Colectora – Cuestecitas at 500 kV, and a transmission line Cuestecitas - La Loma 500kV. This project will be located in the departments of La Guajira and Cesar, which will allow the connection of wind power plants by 1250 MW. This bid will commence on July 2017, and awarded on November 2017. It is expected to enter into operation on November 30, 2022. 

Along with the aforementioned bids, UPME announced the following projects, indicating the status, date of award, date of entry into operation and estimated amount of investment: 

Project

Status

Awarding hearing date

Entry into operation date (FPO)

Estimated (USD)

Convocatoria UPME 09-2016 Líneas Copey a Cuestecitas y a Fundación

Open

June 21, 2017

November 30, 2020

101.919.733

Convocatoria UPME 01-2017 Bahía transformación El Bosque 220 kV/66 kV

Open

June 20, 2017

December 31, 2018

2.571.104

Convocatoria UPME STR 02-2017 Tercer transformador 220/66 kV El Bosque

Open

June 16, 2017

December 31, 2018

5.163.023

Convocatoria UPME 03-2017 Bahía transformación Valledupar 220 kV

Open

July 26, 2017

March 30, 2019

1.914.112

Convocatoria STR 04-2017 Tercer Transformador 220/34,5 Valledupar

Open

August 1, 2017

March 30, 2019

1.940.242

Convocatoria UPME 05-2017 Segundo Transformador 230/115 kV Altamira

Open

August 3, 2017

March 31, 2019

5.405.455

Convocatoria UPME Conexiones Eólicas 500 kV

In process of user guarantees. Will commence on July 2017

November, 2017

November 30, 2022

167.140.776

Convocatoria UPME STR La Marina 66 kV

Structured. Pending of definition of the substation real estate. Extensive negotiations with local authorities and entities involved

November 30, 2020

13.509.975

Convocatoria UPME Chinú-Toluviejo-Bolivar 220 kV.

Structured

November 30, 2020

31.333.700

Convocatoria UPME Nuevo Siete 230 kV

Structured

November 30, 2020

20.170.919

Convocatoria UPME San Juan 220 kV

Structured

August 31, 2020

8.977.336

Convocatoria UPME Termoflores – El Río – Tebsa 220 kV

Structured

November 30, 2020

15.085.968

Convocatoria UPME Sabanalarga-Bolivar 500 kV

Structured

November 30, 2020

36.782.130

Convocatoria UPME San Lorenzo 230 kV.

Structured

May 31, 2021

9.639.967

Convocatoria UPME STR Toluviejo 220/110 kV

Structured. Pending the expression of interest by the Network Operator

November 30, 2020

2.006.530

Convocatoria UPME STR San Juan 220/110 kV

Structured. Pending the expression of interest by the Network Operator

August 31, 2020

952.513

Convocatoria UPME STR el Río 220/110 kV

Structured. Pending the expression of interest by the Network Operator

November 30, 2020

1.922.803

Convocatoria UPME STR Nueva Montería –Río Sinú 110 kV

Structured. Pending the expression of interest by the Network Operator

November 30, 2020

2.036.961

Convocatoria UPME Variante línea Guavio – Reforma – Tunal 230 kV.

Structured

Under review

2.835.520

Convocatoria UPME STR Linea Altamira- Florencia – Doncello 115 kV.

Structured

Under review

14.017.064

Convocatoria UPME Tranformador de Ocaña 500/230 kV.

Structured

June 30, 2020

13.668.964

Convocatoria UPME Transformador Sogamoso 500/230 kV

Structured

November 30, 2019

15.618.679

Convocatoria UPME Bahía de reactor San Marcos 500 kV

To be structured on 2017

Under review

2.087.255

Convocatoria UPME línea san Antonio – Alcaraván – Banadía 230 kV.

To be structured on 2017

November 30, 2021

50.688.367

Convocatoria UPME Cabrera (Nueva Granada) 230 kV.

To be structured on 2017

November 30, 2022

14.642.854

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