Argentina launches tender for 500 kV transmission project

Argentina has officially launched the bidding of 500 kV transmission lines to improve the domestic power infrastructure to absorb more renewable energy
.

According to the tender announcement, the transmission line is a new high-voltage transmission line connecting the provinces of Mendoza and Buenos Aires and will be established and operated in a public-private partnership
for 15 years.

At the same time, the project also includes 5 branch lines connecting several local grid systems
between the provinces of Córdoba, La Pampa, Santa Fe and Buenos Aires.

The government's energy department will bid for the scheme over the next three months, with the contract
scheduled to be awarded by early July 2019.

According to the Argentine government, the transmission line is the first
of nine high-voltage projects planned by the government.
The grid has been boosted with the support of the Argentine system for a massive increase in renewable energy, which must grow to meet 20% of the country's electricity needs
by 2025, according to a 2015 law.

"Recently, we have worked hard to diversify our energy mix, with significant growth in renewable energy
.
This transmission line is an important step in improving our power distribution capacity and linking the generation area with the consumer center," Secretary of State Gustavo Lopetegui said
in a statement.

With the steady growth of renewable energy in Argentina, a demand boost for electricity infrastructure is also taking place
.
Government data shows that as of February 28, the cumulative size of 30 effective projects in the country has reached 795 megawatts, of which one-third are photovoltaic power plants
.
Once the construction plan is taken into account, these figures will increase to 126 projects with a total installed capacity of 4.
593GW, which will require the support
of a strong and effective transmission and distribution infrastructure.