Ecuador strengthens power grid with $10.8 million substation expansion

The Ecuadorian government, under President Daniel Noboa, has initiated a significant expansion of the Baba substation in the Buena Fe canton, Los Ríos province. This project, with an investment of $10.8 million, is designed to enhance electricity transmission capacity to Quevedo and bolster the reliability of power supply for more than 200,000 inhabitants in the region.

The expansion, being carried out by the Ecuadorian Electric Corporation (Celec EP) through its Transelectric Business Unit, is currently 30% complete. It addresses the growing electricity demand in the northern part of CNEL Guayas–Los Ríos's concession area. The project will also reinforce power distribution to CNEL Santo Domingo by establishing a new delivery point from the National Transmission System.

Key components of the infrastructure upgrade include the installation of a 167 MVA three-phase transformer, the expansion of the 230 kV yard, and the construction of a new 69 kV yard. This will incorporate a 230/69 kV transformer, a 230 kV transformer bay, a 69 kV transformer bay, a 69 kV coupling bay, and three 69 kV line bays. Official information indicates that this expansion will boost the substation's operational capacity, ensuring a more stable service for homes, businesses, and industries in Quevedo, a major commercial hub in Los Ríos.

The project unfolds against a backdrop of sustained growth in Ecuador's electricity consumption, with the nation recently recording new historical peaks in demand. This has prompted the energy sector to accelerate projects aimed at increasing the reliability of the national system. Efforts include scheduled maintenance and capacity recovery to guarantee supply amidst rising demand and the potential impacts of the El Niño phenomenon.