Chile: Chile has officially begun construction of the Kimal–Lo Aguirre high HVDC transmission line, a major project aimed at addressing grid bottlenecks and enabling large-scale renewable energy transfer from the north to central demand areas.
Led by Conexión Energía, the 1,346-km line will connect the Antofagasta Region with Santiago’s Metropolitan Region, moving up to 3,000 MW of electricity. It is Chile’s first HVDC project and the longest transmission line ever built in the country.
Unlike conventional alternating current (AC) lines, HVDC allows for long-distance transmission with lower losses, better stability, and more efficient land use. The line will operate at 600 kV, crossing dozens of municipalities, supported by 2,692 transmission structures, with converter substations at Kimal and Lo Aguirre to switch power between AC and DC.
Sebastián Fernández, CEO of Conexión Energía, said the project marks the start of over three years of construction, highlighting the importance of public-private coordination to meet standards and deadlines.
The line is central to Chile’s decarbonisation goals, allowing solar and wind energy from the north to reach central Chile reliably, supporting the country’s plan for a 100 % clean power matrix by 2050. Minister Álvaro García noted that cheaper northern energy reaching central areas could reduce electricity costs.
The project has progressed steadily since 2022, receiving environmental approval in November 2025 and importing key equipment by early 2026, enabling construction to start in February. Kimal–Lo Aguirre is set to become a backbone of Chile’s modern, resilient, and sustainable electricity grid.
Source: Strategic Energy
