Brazil, Santa Catarina: The upgrade of protection, control and supervision systems at the Itajaí substation in southern Brazil marks a major step in the digital transformation of the country’s transmission network. WEG contributed to the project by supplying in-house technologies and engineering solutions to support a modern, communication-based architecture aligned with industry standards.
Completed in the second half of 2025, the facility is the first fully digital substation operated by AXIA Energia in the region. Located in Santa Catarina, the site has an installed capacity of 600 MVA and underwent a comprehensive retrofit focused on improving monitoring, boosting grid reliability, increasing operational safety, and lowering maintenance costs.
A key feature of the project is the use of a process bus, allowing measurement and protection signals to be digitalised directly within the substation yard. The engineering approach followed a top-down methodology based on the IEC 61850 standard, helping to automate initial system configuration, reduce engineering time, and limit human error.
More than 40 electrical panels were installed across the Itajaí and Blumenau substations, alongside control and protection equipment, communication switches, and outdoor-ready Process Interface Units.
The modernisation took 11 months and included 90 operational interventions and 51 minor improvements. Around 15 tonnes of copper cabling were removed through digitalisation, while 18 fully digital connection modules were deployed across 138 kV and 230 kV systems. The project recorded zero accidents or incidents.
The initiative highlights the growing role of digital technologies in creating more efficient, reliable, and future-ready energy systems.
Source: WEG
